Australia Australia - Derek Williams disappeared in 1987, Victoria Police announce $1M reward

[3llecia]

Victoria Police, published 31 Oct 2025

Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have announced a $1 million reward for information in relation to the suspicious disappearance of Moorabbin man Derek Williams in 1987.

Derek, who was 46 at the time, was reported missing by his housemate.

He was last seen at his business, Williams Printing Services on Kilpa Road in Moorabbin, at approximately 4.30pm on Wednesday, 7 January 1987.

Derek’s vehicle was located in its usual position outside the business.

There hasn’t been any activity since this date to suggest that Derek is still alive. Derek was very focussed on his work and was operating a financially successful business.

He was wearing a grey jacket, blue shirt and tie and pants at the time.

At the time of his disappearance he didn’t have a partner or children.

Investigators are of the belief that Derek has met with foul play and are seeking public assistance to help identify those involved.

A reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police, for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Derek Williams.

The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.

 

[3llecia]

How many men called Derek Williams were print tradesmen in Melbourne during the 1980s?

Two curious things I found on Newspapers.com that lead me to the question:

1. The Age - Friday, 7 January 1983 "A free ride home"

The journalist interviews a man from Bristol called Derek Williams being deported at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne, back to London, for overstaying a six month visitor's visa. His brother lived in Melbourne at the time.

This Derek Williams is described as "a wirey printing tradesman and darts fanatic".

He will be banned for five years, and tells the journalist that he'll aim to get his life together in England and reapply to return to Australia.

There's also these direct quotes:

"If I tried to make a run for it and tried to get away I'd lose all my personal belongings. When I got caught I'd get a jail sentence, and my brother would be hassled no end by the immigration people who wanted to pick me up."

"If I wanted to stay illegally, I'd have to go bush or change my name and identity. The bloke at the immigration centre said it's surprising how many try it"

However, the article states this man is 37 years old in 1983 which makes me dubious if this is the same Derek Williams who disappeared in 1987 at the age of 46.

The article also has a picture showing the man as he walks away from the camera. It's difficult to compare him to the image recently released by Victoria Police, but I personally see similarities in hair and sideburns, potentially face/head shape.

In a total coincidence, this article is published on January 7, which is the same day Victoria Police say Derek Williams' housemate said he was last seen in 1987.

2. The Age - Wednesday, 18 May 1988 job listing

So, we have a printing tradesman called Derek Williams who was deported in 1983, a Derek Williams who ran a printing business who disappeared in 1987, and in 1988 there's a Derek Williams searching for an "experienced storeperson for our printing company".

The only other thing I'd say is that I couldn't find any contemporaneous news articles or information by police/friends/family/co-workers about Derek Williams' disappearance in 1987. That vacuum is what lead me to these articles instead.

In light of the case having a "low profile", a $1M reward seems quite mysterious, sudden and urgent.