Sister of missing kayaker 'heartbroken' as search wraps up

Sister 'heartbroken' as search for brother along Goulburn River concludesPosted Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 3:06pmSun 26 Jul 2026 at 3:06pm, updated Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 3:54pmSun 26 Jul 2026 at 3:54pmMelissa Teague's brother, Shane Wilson, was last seen in a kayak on Victoria's Goulburn River on July 18. (Supplied: Melissa Teague )In short:The search for missing kayaker Shane Wilson near Yea, Victoria has concluded without success.The 53-year-old was last sighted at Ghin Ghin on the Goulburn River on July 18 when his kayak overturned.What's next ?Police say they have been in contact with the family and will revisit the area if there are any new developments.The sister of Shane Wilson, the man feared drowned after he disappeared while fishing on the Goulburn River, says she was "heartbroken" to hear the search for him was ending.Mr Wilson, 53, was fishing from a kayak on the Goulburn River on Saturday, July 18, when the boat overturned.A week after a search was initiated, Victoria Police said the recovery effort had ended."Sadly, with the passage of time and environmental conditions in the area, police hold grave concerns for the man’s welfare and have been working to recover his body," a spokesperson said.Melissa Teague said Shane Wilson was an "incredible" brother who always made time for her. (Supplied: Melissa Teague)Melissa Teague had a close relationship with her brother Shane, who was 13 years older than her.She said he "always looked out for her"."We were told to prepare ourselves for the possibility that Shane may never be found," she said."Hearing those words while we’re desperately waiting for answers was absolutely heartbreaking."The SES assisted in the multi-agency search. (Facebook: SES Chiltern)A week-long searchEmergency Services were called to the river on July 18, after a witness on the riverbank raised the alarm about Mr Wilson.Victoria Police, the Country Fire Authority, Lifesaving Victoria and the State Emergency Service (SES) were involved in the search.An SES spokesperson had said Mr Wilson was a "strong swimmer", but the current was "flowing quite rapidly".Mr Wilson was not wearing a life jacket.Police did not say why the search had concluded but confirmed they had been in contact with the family regarding the developments along the way."Officers will revisit the area if further information is received or if there are any new developments," a spokesperson said.Melissa Teague says she misses talking to her older brother. (Supplied: Melissa Teague)Ms Teague said she never called Shane by his first name; he was always 'brudda' to her."Ever since I was little, I couldn't say 'brother', so I called him 'brudda'. It just stuck," she said.Ms Teague said Mr Wilson would call her regularly "nearly every day on his drive home from work, usually complaining about Melbourne traffic"."Those everyday conversations are what I miss the most. He wasn't just my big brother … he was my best friend," Ms Teague said.