Linden Malayta-suspected-murder-north-queensland-townsville | Daily mail online

North Queensland Police have upgraded the missing person case of a teenager who disappeared for murder four years ago and is offering a $500,000 reward for information.

Investigators with the Townsville Child Protection Investigation Unit believe 15-year-old Linden Malayta may have been killed in his disappearance in March 2019.

Linden was last seen in his hometown of Ayr and is believed to have traveled north to Townsville when he went missing.

Child Protection Investigation Unit officer Dave Miles said there had been unconfirmed sightings of Linden in Townsville and he was active on social media.

Police have offered a $500,000 reward for information about 15-year-old Linden Malayta (above), who disappeared in March 2019

However, the reports have only led officials to dead ends and raised concerns about the teenager’s safety.

Police said it was possible Linden (above) was traveling to Townsville from his home in Ayr when he disappeared

“The reality is that no one can say for sure they’ve seen Linden in the last few years,” Sergeant Miles said during a conference on Tuesday.

“There is certainly nothing in what we have found so far that identifies anyone (who) had contact with him.

“He was certainly a young person who was very close to the family, but he hasn’t spoken to the family or been involved with the family.”

Sergeant Miles added that police are still investigating claims that Linden was active online but was caught off guard by anonymous accounts.

“We haven’t ruled out that he is,” he said.

“Given the anonymity behind the various platforms that can be used, we just don’t know at this point.”

Linden is described as Aboriginal, with brown eyes and dark brown hair, and is last seen wearing a red baseball cap.

Linden is described as a Native American with brown eyes and dark brown hair, and is last seen wearing the red baseball cap he frequently wore (pictured Linden with the red beanie).

Police also shared a request for information in late January earlier this year.

“We have exhausted all avenues of our investigation and are seeking any information the community can possibly provide, no matter how small or insignificant they may deem it,” Sergeant Miles said at the time.

Anyone with information regarding Linden’s whereabouts or disappearance is urged to contact the police.