Police offer $500,000 reward for information over suspected murder of Queensland teen Linden Malayta

Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information over the suspected murder of Queensland teenager Linden Malayta after years of dead ends in the investigation.

Malayta was just 15-years-old when he was last seen in his hometown of Ayr, south of Townsville, in 2019.

Though police say it is possible that the teen is alive and living anonymously in pursuit "of a new life", detectives strongly believe he has been met with foul play.

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There had earlier been unconfirmed reports Malayta was seen in Townsville, but Child Protection Investigation Unit Officer in Charge Dave Miles has said the "reality is nobody can be certain".

"The reality is no one can, with any certainty, say they have seen Linden in the last couple of years," Miles said.

"There is certainly nothing in what we have found so far that identifies anyone (who) has had contact with him.

"He was certainly a young person who was very close to family but he hasn't been speaking to family or had any involvement in family."

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Miles said in addition to unconfirmed sightings, there had also been reports of Malayta using social media.

"We haven't ruled out the fact it's him," Miles said.

"We just don't know at this stage given the anonymity behind the various platforms which can be used."

Malayta is being described as being Indigenous with brown eyes and was last seen wearing a red baseball cap.

Anyone with information is encouraged to urgently contact police.

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