NSW Police renew appeal to find James Hunter, son of late Australian actor Bill Hunter, who vanished six years ago; what we know so far

NSW police have renewed their appeal for public assistance to locate James Hunter, son of popular late Australian actor Bill Hunter. His family last saw him in person in December 2019, when he was in the Newcastle area, according to a news release by the NSW Police Force.

James was 52 at the time he was last seen. He lived in the Newcastle suburb of Tighes Hill and travelled to the state’s west for work, including to rural properties at Dubbo, Mendooran and Dunedoo, police said in its news release on Saturday (February 28, 2026). He was also known to frequent Walgett and Lightning Ridge, the release further stated.

In March 2022, detectives attached to the Orana Mid-Western Police District established Strike Force Yurinigh to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of James Hunter, NSW Police said.


James was reported missing to police in July 2021. After failing to make contact with his family for several months. Officers from the Orana Mid-Western Police District commenced numerous enquiries and have conducted searches for James since that time; however, he has not been located.

What is known about James Hunter?

James Hunter is described as being Caucasian in appearance, about 175cm tall, of a medium build with brown hair and eyes, the NSW police news release has stated. According to enquiries, James was last seen at a pharmacy on Macquarie Street in Dubbo on Friday, 28 February 2020, but he has not accessed his bank accounts since then.

NSW police, in its news release, has said that his vehicle, a blue 2005-model Toyota Hilux ute, was located in March 2022 on a property he was working at in Mendooran, and it was seized for forensic examination. In March 2024, 1700 ha north-west of Mendooran was searched with the use of high-tech drones that carried out 52 flights.

His father, Bill Hunter, was a legendary Australian actor known for iconic roles in films such as Muriel’s Wedding and Strictly Ballroom. He died in 2011 at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer.