Desperate hunt for Australian backpacker, 29, who vanished in London two weeks ago – before sending pals ‘cryptic’ texts

Police have launched a desperate search for an Australian waitress who disappeared from a backpackers hostel in south London two weeks ago – before sending friends a series of ‘out of character’ text messages when they asked where she was.

Jessica Parkinson, 29, was first reported missing by her father on Sunday, December 11, after being unable to contact relatives on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Three days later, she didn’t show up for a 4 p.m. shift at Texas Joes, the barbecue restaurant where she has worked for the past year.

When managers texted to ask where she was, she claimed she had misunderstood her start time – and promised to be ‘there’ at 5pm.

But she didn’t show up as promised – and hasn’t been heard from since she sent a ‘cryptic’ message to another colleague later that evening.

Last Friday she was reported missing for the second time after missing three shifts in a row.

Restaurant owner Joe Walters told MailOnline: ‘Jess was due to work on Wednesday, and she was due to start at four o’clock.

‘Around that time our manager messaged asking where she was, and she replied saying she thought she was home at 5pm and would be there shortly. That was very strange for her.

The waitress was first reported missing by her father on December 11 after being unable to contact relatives

Three days later she didn’t show up at Texas Joes. When asked where she was, she told the managers she would be “there” at 5 p.m., but she never showed up

‘She didn’t show up, but sent a cryptic message to another employee that evening. She did not mention the missing work.

‘Then she didn’t show up for work on Thursday and when she didn’t show up on Friday I contacted her father in Australia.

“He told me the police had been alerted and it is being dealt with by the missing persons unit.”

Jess had recently faced a ‘stressful’ housing situation after being evicted from a flat and forced to live in the St Christopher’s Inn hostel on Borough High Street.

Jessica, described as 6ft tall with blue eyes and reddish blonde hair, had discussed traveling back to Australia for the holidays and staying there until March, but none of her family or friends on the other side of the world have heard from her.

“She is very reliable and we have a close relationship,” Joe added. “She’s very smart, outgoing and friendly.”

She had recently had problems with her housing and had been evicted from an apartment building and was therefore living in a hostel.

‘She wasn’t very happy with that situation, I imagine, so we tried to help her find something, but we didn’t make any progress. She was busy about it at the time.

‘She went back to Australia for the holidays and said she might stay there until March to get things together and then come back, but no one in Australia has heard from her.

After colleagues received a series of cryptic messages from Jessica, her manager contacted her father in Australia

Jessica is described as 6 feet tall, with blue eyes and reddish blonde hair. She had previously discussed returning to her home country for the holidays and staying there until March

Jess, 29, recently faced a ‘stressful’ housing situation after recently being evicted from a flat

‘Her two sisters and her father heard nothing. And I assume the police know she didn’t use her passport.

‘We’re doing well, we’re having a bit of a hard time. It is difficult for her father because he is in Australia and due to the time difference he doesn’t really sleep in case he hears something.’

Anyone with information about Jess’ whereabouts is urged to contact police.

A police spokesperson said: ‘Police are currently investigating the whereabouts of Jessica Parkinson, 29, after she was last seen on Sunday December 8 in Bermondsey.

‘Anyone who has seen Jessica is encouraged to contact police quoting reference number 01/1196494/24.’