Sad update in desperate search for missing cop as his family break their silence

The family of missing Queensland officer Jay Notaro have said they are ‘heartbroken’ as a days-long search has been called off.

Detective Inspector Notaro, 45, was last seen on Tuesday when he disappeared while surfing at Broken Head near Byron Bay in northeastern New South Wales. 

NSW Police announced on Friday afternoon that the search had been suspended but taskings by local police and marine area command will continue.

‘The family is of course naturally devastated. This hole in our lives will never be filled,’ Mr Notaro’s father said in a statement seen by Sky News.

‘We are heart broken. Such a tragic accident.’

He said the conditions have been ‘horrendous’ and thanked NSW and Queensland police, as well as supportive family and friends, for a ‘remarkable response’. 

‘It’s been truly humbling and heart warming. But we fully understand that they had to call it,’ he said.

‘The search was intensive. Now we wait for Mother Nature to decide if she will return him to us.’

More to come.