The body of Daniel Hidden, a 26-year-old magician, was found Wednesday in Queensland's Mount Cougal National Park, concluding a frantic search that began after his disappearance on June 14. Hidden was last seen leaving his home in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast in the early hours of that day.
Two days after he was last seen, police located his silver Hyundai Santa Fe and caravan abandoned along the side of the road in Currumbin Valley, prompting a large-scale search operation. The search involved over 100 personnel, including members of the Australian Defence Force, and utilized drones and Polair resources to navigate the rugged terrain.
Prior to the discovery, Hidden's family had made an emotional public plea for information. His brother, Ilya Jamshidi, noted that while Hidden often went camping, it was unusual for him to be out of contact for several days without his phone. Jamshidi described his brother as someone who enjoyed exploring off-marked tracks in remote areas.
Hidden's mother, Faranak Jamshidi, expressed hope for his safe return, describing him as strong and resilient. She mentioned that the Currumbin Valley area held personal significance for her son, reminding him of his childhood in Iran and his love for mountainous landscapes. She also revealed that Hidden had a tattoo of coordinates near the search area.
Authorities have stated that Hidden's death is not being treated as suspicious. Queensland Police will prepare a report for the Coroner as investigations continue. Hidden was also known for his work as a cruise ship entertainer with Virgin Voyages and had a significant following on Instagram, where his last post was on June 10.