French tourist faked his death and moved to Queensland?

“Everything stopped for me that day.”

Herran was booked on a return flight to France on the day of his disappearance. Investigators later confirmed he checked in at Sydney Airport before boarding a train to Watsons Bay.

The initial investigation was led by former NSW Police detective Michael Gerondis. He remained convinced that Herran had faked his death to stay in Australia and was now living under an assumed name.

“He couldn’t jump,” the former detective said.

“He was so calm on the phone… All his things were in his backpack, except for his passport. I think he saved it just in case.

“He had been at immigration the day before to ask, ‘How can I stay in Australia?’ And they told him, “No chance, mate.”

Gerondis, a private investigator, believed Herran was likely in north Queensland, now 54, and possibly posing as Italian.

“This was his second time in Australia and he loved it. He loved Queensland and went there in a helicopter,” the former detective said.

“That’s because he lived in the north of France, where it’s cold and raining all the time.

“He told his parents this was the ideal Australia, that’s what he imagined Australia to be, and he loved it there, near Cairns… I think that’s where he belongs.”

Giampetruzzi and Gerondis recently rekindled their relationship. This year they arranged for DNA testing to be carried out in the hope of finding any children Herran may have had in Australia.

“I made this decision simply to find out if my brother was still alive,” Giampetruzzi said.

“I think this would be another opportunity to find traces of him somewhere. I know it’s been 26 years, but there’s not a single moment in my life when I don’t hope to see him again.

“I am now 50 years old, I got married for the second time in 2022, I have no children. This is probably unconsciously connected with my brother.

“In fact, I am still angry about his gesture of disappearing on his own accord. There is probably a reason for him that he considers valid.

“But for me it changed my whole life, all my personal projects.”

When asked whether Herran could have jumped and disappeared into the sea, Gerondis remained adamant.

“There is no way out in the world. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

“He’s here. I just don’t know what he’s doing.”

Giampetruzzi said the secret has placed a huge burden on her family.

“I actually think that wanting to find a missing person is purely selfish, but at the same time it is a loving act,” she said.

“Selfish because I wish I knew if he was alive so I could see him just once and know that, despite all these years, he’s happy he made that terrible choice.

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“People can think what they want, that’s fine. They tell themselves: if he disappeared of his own free will, it was because he had his own reasons, and therefore let him live in peace.

“These people do not know the suffering of waiting to find out the truth about a disappearance, a breakdown in relationships between family members, friends or other people.”

Herran was 182cm tall and had brown hair and blue eyes.

His family said he had a distinctive scar shaped like a question mark on his stomach.

“The case was referred to the coroner in 2006 and returned with an open conclusion,” a NSW Police spokesman said. Brisbane Times.

“(It) is currently under investigation by NSW Police but we are unable to provide further information at this time.”

If you or anyone you know needs help, call the helpline on 13 11 14 (see helpline). lifeline.org.au), Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 (see beyondblue.org.au) or 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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