Jordan Marshall: Fears missing father may have died in Margaret River bushfire

WA Police have confirmed fears that missing man Jordan Marshall may have never escaped the fireground near Calgardup. Despite urgent welfare calls and a search undertaken by the 40-year-old Fremantle real estate agent’s family, Mr Marshall has yet to report to authorities. A police spokeswoman said there were no further updates on the missing man last seen near Mammoth Cave on December 8, the morning the Calgardup blaze broke out. “We have publicly said that we have concerns for him as he went missing in the fire area and his vehicle was located burnt out,” she said. “We continue to urge people who may have seen him or have information regarding his whereabouts to come forward.” It is understood that authorities do not believe the car fire caused the Margaret River blaze, which wreaked havoc on more than 7800ha before it was brought under control. WA’s Strike Force Vulcan arson squad is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, which police suspect was deliberately lit. Separated from his partner, Mr Marshall has been struggling with mental health issues but friends are not sure what state of mind he was in when he disappeared. More than 30 close friends and family joined the frantic search for Mr Marshall, including his distraught father Ross Marshall. His younger brother Daniel gave an insight into the series of events in the lead up to the father-of-three’s disappearance. He said Mr Marshall had texted him three days before the bushfires began. “He said he was apologetic for not being himself, that he loved me, he was taking his medications and that he was otherwise doing OK,” Daniel Marshall told the ABC. The “relatively positive exchange” came after Mr Marshall was diagnosed with a mental health condition last year. Despite getting “active treatment” for the condition, Daniel said his brother had become “increasingly unwell”. “When he was feeling unwell or stressed, he would come down to Margaret River, where we have a family home,” he said. “He would surf, fish and just spend time with his friends.” Daniel revealed, however, that while the pair often drove along Caves Road while down south, his brother had shown no interest in Mammoth Cave and could not give any insight as to why he might have stopped there. Mr Marshall is described as having a solid build with short brown hair and brown eyes. He is about 170cm tall. Police have asked anyone with information of the whereabouts of Mr Marshall to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestopperswa.com.au.