Kate Withers, Tessa Randello and Gregor Mactaggart
FRIENDS have taken to social media to pay tribute to Newborough man Jarrad Lovison.
Police confirmed on Monday that Mr Lovison’s body was found during a search of bushland at Moondarra State Park, about 27km north of Moe, on Saturday.
Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad made the discovery after combing an area on Tanjil Bren Road, just off Moe-Walhalla Road.
He has since been formally identified and Mr Lovison’s family notified.
Detectives are treating his death as suspicious and are appealing for anyone who saw Mr Lovison in the lead up to his disappearance or has information in relation to his death, to come forward.
Mr Lovison’s best mate Adam Reddiex shared his tribute on social media at 4pm on Sunday.
“Every memory of you is better than the last, no b******t just good times … and best of all, we got to share the best part of our lives together!,” Mr Reddiex wrote.
“It’s hard knowing that those days are now past but I’ll always speak highly of you and of your values as a true mate, you were as genuine as they come … you’ll live on in my heart and my memories until the day I see you again.
“I have so much love and respect for you and I’m proud to be able to call you my brother!!!! Love you mate RIP.”
Kat Metcalf-Holt posted a photo of herself with Mr Lovison.
“Our world has been turned upside (down), forever in (our) hearts, love you always,” she wrote.
Mr Lovison, 37, was last seen on March Street in Newborough around 9.45pm on Wednesday, April 15 after visiting a friend.
On May 6, three weeks after his disappearance, police confirmed Mr Lovison’s phone and banking records, were “highly unusual … the finances haven’t been accessed”.
Detectives declared they had “very, very serious” concerns for his welfare, considering he was “a creature of habit” and was in daily contact with family and friends.
Mr Lovison also left behind his dog, a black Labrador named Slade, prompting family and friends to raise concerns of his whereabouts.
10.30AM SUNDAY: Police have confirmed that human remains were located during a search of bushland in the Moondarra area on Saturday.
The remains are those of a man who is yet to be identified. The man’s cause of death is under investigation.
The remains were found during a search by Missing Persons Squad detectives as part of a current active investigation.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Members of Victoria Police’s Missing Persons Squad are currently at Moondarra.
They are working at a scene, located near a dirt road, close to the small town 27km north of Moe.
“The missing person squad are in Moondarra as part of an active investigation,” a police spokesperson told The Express.
“Further information will be available when it is operationally appropriate to do so.”
