Police have confirmed an air and land search will begin at Killingworth from 10am for evidence that could help detectives discover what happened to the 27-year-old, who mysteriously vanished five months ago.

The search comes only days after Strike Force Retractor investigators made their first public plea for information into Mr Daunt's disappearance.

Senior police have confirmed that the possible murder of Mr Daunt remains one line of the investigation, although they are yet to release any possible motive.

The popular young builder has not been seen since being at a North Lambton address on Sunday, March 29, where he was reported to have left to return to his Gateshead residence but never arrived.

Mr Daunt specialised in installing kitchens, and was halfway through a job in Lake Macquarie when he vanished.

The facts that the reliable tradesman left a job unfinished, his bank accounts had remained untouched and he had failed to contact any family and friends prompted police to describe the disappearance as suspicious.

He was reported missing by family and his utility was discovered abandoned in Wallsend weeks after his disappearance.

The Facebook page, Help us find Chris Daunt, was launched soon after his disappearance.

The posts record the family's heartbreak as they hope Mr Daunt is "happy and some place warm" and share their disappointment that he did not reach out to his mum on Mother's Day.

"Wherever he may be, he is always in our thoughts and prayers, and we cherish all the special times we had with him over the years," the page says. "Not knowing is so difficult for us, and all we want is to have him home."

Originally published as Lake bushland search for missing builder by Newcastle Herald.