Help Honour Zac Barnes: A Memorial for Closure, Love & Support

I am organising this fund raiser on behalf of my cousin, Karen Gudelj.

In November 2016, 18-year-old Zac Barnes vanished without a trace. For nearly a decade, his devoted mother Karen Gudelj has fought tirelessly for answers, determined to uncover the truth of what happened to her son.

Recently, after years of agonising uncertainty, the NSW Coroner has ruled that Zac is most likely deceased, with the circumstances surrounding his death considered suspicious. It’s a devastating confirmation of what Karen always feared — but also something she’s long known in her heart.

Sadly, tragedy has struck this family more then once. In 2020, Zac’s younger brother Liam Barnes, just 19 years old — lost his life to suicide. The emotional toll of Zac’s disappearance left an unbearable weight on Liam, as it has for all who loved Zac. Zac and Liam - Two sons, brothers, and friends gone far too soon

This fundraiser is for Karen and Mick Gudelj and their children Jarrod, Cody, Makayla and Mia — a beautiful, resilient family who have endured more heartache than anyone should.

With the Coroner’s findings now bringing a painful form of closure, the family would like to honour Zac’s life with a memorial later this year — a chance to finally say goodbye, to celebrate the boy they love and miss beyond words, and to give the community who searched, hoped, and stood beside them the opportunity to do the same.

Zac’s brother Cody has expressed the importance of having a permanent place where people can visit, reflect, and remember Zac — a place for him, and for everyone who knew he was here, loved deeply, and is still missed terribly. A place for Zac, should he one day be found.

This GoFundMe will help support:

The creation of a memorial site for Zac

Memorial service costs (venue, set-up, materials)

Family expenses during this deeply emotional time

This memorial will be open to the public, in recognition of the enormous support the family has received from around the country. The Gudelj family want to give something back — to all who have followed Zac’s story, prayed for his return, and grieved alongside them.

If you can, please donate. No contribution is too small. Your kindness and generosity will help bring peace to a family who has faced the unimaginable with strength, grace, and love.

From the bottom of their hearts — Zac's family thank you.

#BringZacHome

#ZacBarnes

#InLovingMemory