Father of Swedish backpacker who disappeared from Port Campbell dies without answers

Rolf Castor's son Max was just 20-years-old when he mysteriously disappeared while on a working holiday in Australia in April 2005.

Mr Castor spent the next 15 years searching for clues until he died in his sleep in May this year.

Aged 77, the heartbroken father never found out what happened to his son.

Max was last seen in Warrnambool, with several unconfirmed sightings on the Great Ocean Road and into the Otways.

The backpacker's last known contact with his family was on April 21, 2005, when he sent an email to his family.

On the same day his brother in Sweden received a parcel with Max's personal belongings, money and a letter.

Max was last seen wearing a blue windcheater, white t-shirt, jeans and carrying a light blue backpack and a multi coloured clutch bag.

Five years later, Mr Castor told The Standard that he spent years actively looking for his son with the support of the Victorian police force, the Swedish embassy and consulates, the Swedish church abroad, the Salvation Army and many individuals.

He said his search then revolved around contacting Swedish tourists planning a long-term stay in Australia and who were about the same age as Max, asking them to keep their eyes open.

In 2015, he said the pain of his son's disappearance was always there.

"Not knowing why he left is a little like having a wet blanket over my life," he told The Standard.

"But I have to respect his choice in life. He is soon 30. But it disturbs my daily life, but of course less and less."

Mr Castor said he had contact with police in Australia as much as five times a year and continued to receive tips on sightings of Max.

Mr Castor said he believed Max maybe living somewhere on the east coast in or just outside a small town.

He said he hoped Max would one day contact his family in Sweden - perhaps as his own children started questioning their background.

Mr Castor's death was announced on a Facebook page titled 'Help Find Max Castor' - 10 years after he told the The Standard he was "praying that he will still be alive" to see his son again.

People from all over the world have since taken to the Facebook group to express their condolences to the Castor family.

"My sincerest condolences to the Castor family on the loss of Rolf. A truly beautiful gentleman who fought so hard to find his son," one person said.

"(Mr Castor) was the one that instigated this page, and I know he was devastated went his son went missing and never gave up hope that he would be found or reach out and make contact with his family," another said.

"The family will continue to monitor this page, so please don't stop looking."

Mr Castor's daughter Olu thanked the south-west community for their help over the last 15 years.

"We would like to send thanks to police officers Danielle (O'Keeffe) and Chris (Asenjo) that have been very kind to my family," she told The Standard from her home in Sweden.

"My father never gave up hope. We will keep the missing page open. There has not been any new information about my brother during the last 15 years."

You can join the Facebook group here.

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