A graphic design influencer has been tragically found dead four weeks after going missing in Queensland’s Whitsundays region.
Joel Pringle, 40, was last seen at an address on Waite Creek Court, Cannonvale, at around 4.30pm on Monday 19 August.
Her disappearance sparked a massive search effort, with local volunteers helping her family and authorities scour the area of Conway National Park where her phone was last detected.
His partner, Eve Houghton, announced on Wednesday that their search efforts had sadly come to an end.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Joel was found late last night. Sadly he passed away,” she wrote in a Facebook group dedicated to the search.
‘We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who has joined in the search for Joel: family, friends and the many people who travelled from far away to help.
‘We are incredibly grateful to the police, water police, SES and local businesses who displayed flyers and posters.
‘To all who offered their support and kindness – your love and care will be forever treasured by Joel’s family and close friends.’
Joel Pringle pictured with his partner Eve Houghton
Joel was an Instagram influencer who ran a self-titled logo design company and sold iconic cartoon-style sketches.
His logos were used by companies around the world, and some of his major clients included Foot Locker, The Mad Hueys, KFC and Pringles.
Originally from Melbourne, Pringle and his family moved to the Whitsundays in 2019 to live on a yacht and shared their journey online with his more than 44,000 followers.
In recent years, she has used her platform to promote the benefits of a digital nomad lifestyle, offering classes to teach others how to start their own businesses.
Photos posted online show Pringle, his partner and their two young children enjoying life among the crystal-clear waters and lush nature of tropical north Queensland.
In recent months, she had shared exciting new personal and professional projects, including plans to build a home on land the couple purchased in the Whitsundays Hinterland.
In January, he shared a post of himself standing next to his yellow porch, with the caption: “POV: You did it.”
“Keep going! Everything is possible!” she wrote.
The graphic designer has over 44,000 followers on Instagram, where he shares his idyllic digital nomad lifestyle.
The image shows the designs he made for the Cronulla Beer company.
‘2016 was tough, 2020-22 was tough, now I’ve been diagnosed with autoimmunity. But it’s all good, baby! We still get up!’
“I’m more certain than ever that my purpose here is to help people get back up, no matter what fate has in store for them or me. I want them to be able to see me fighting, but winning anyway.”
Two months later, she urged her followers to beware of the “silent killer”: letting their dreams slip away.
“It’s those little things you tell yourself that you’re okay when you can feel it in your body that you’re not,” she wrote.
‘Those little things that will make you look back on the last decade or two with regret and worry that you didn’t live up to your potential.
‘Those little things that slowly fan the fire inside you.
‘Don’t fall into that trap. Don’t let anything stand in your way! Go get it!’
He disappeared four weeks ago along with his white Holden Crewman van with a metal tray (pictured)
In her last Instagram post, just days before she went missing, Pringle beamed with joy as she told her followers that she had just completed an early morning gym session.
‘Good morning, everyone! It’s very early this morning, I think it’s five o’clock, baby, I think it’s five o’clock!
‘This is the first time I’ve been in fifth place in almost a year! Almost a whole year. It’s unbelievable! Wow!
‘You’ve finished your workout at the gym! Breakfast is about to cook. Your logos are about to cook too.’
Concerned relatives raised the alarm after the father went missing last month, along with his white Holden Crewman van.
She had celebrated her 40th birthday on August 14, just five days before she disappeared.
The death is being treated as non-suspicious.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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