MORE than 38,000 missing persons reports are received by police each year. According to the Australian Federal Police, anyone can be reported as missing if their disappearance is out of character and there are concerns for their safety and welfare. While most are found within a short amount of time, there are still more than 2500 long-term missing persons. The Bulletin takes a look at some of the cases that have links to the Gold Coast. Andrea Wharton Gold Coast missing persons: On 19 February 1984 Andrea Wharton left her Gold Coast residence to visit friends at Byron Bay, NSW and has not been seen since. Picture: Supplied.