The heartbreaking reason why missing mum's family fear foul play after she vanished following the birth of her beloved baby boy: 'She wouldn't abandon her sister'

By KARLEIGH SMITH - SENIOR REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 14:34, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 14:44, 10 July 2026 Friends of a mother missing in Queensland have lashed out at claims she may have harmed herself while suffering from post-natal depression, revealing the heartbreaking reason she would never abandon her family. Jana Armstrong, 30, was last seen at a unit on Gordon Avenue in the Toowoomba suburb of Newtown, southeast Queensland, on Tuesday, July 7. Her white Hyundai Kona was found on the corner of Jellicoe Street and Gordon Avenue about 6am on Wednesday.  A friend told Daily Mail she had shared brunch with her younger sister, Faith Isaacs - whose newborn daughter is terminally ill - on Tuesday morning. Since Jana's disappearance, social media has lit up with baseless speculation that she was suffering from a mental illness since giving birth to her much-wanted son Deshal in February. Faith said there was no way she would 'willingly leave' Deshal. A family friend, who wished to remain anonymous, also hit back at speculation over Jana's mental health, saying she would 'never abandon' Faith given her newborn's tragic terminal illness.  Forensic investigators descended on the Gordon Avenue unit on Wednesday afternoon, which is understood to be Jana's home. Jana, left, and her sister Faith, right, were looking forward to raising their babies together  Friends and family said Jana would 'never' willingly leave her much-wanted son, Deshal Police and SES volunteers are searching several locations around Toowoomba Police and SES volunteers are combing the area, including the banks of nearby Black Gully Creek. The friend said: 'Jana has been a brick wall for her family and basically helped raise Faith and her other brother Dean since their parents died within two months of each other a few years ago.' It is understood Faith - who is caring for baby Deshal as the search continues - recently moved back to Toowoomba from Townsville with her young family to be closer to Jana. 'They were both pregnant at the same time,' her friend said. But on May 7, an unthinkable tragedy struck. Faith underwent an emergency C-section in Toowoomba after suffering a placental abruption. Her daughter, who she named Lehara Jill Isaacs, lost oxygen during delivery and was flown with her father Michael to the Royal Women's Hospital in Brisbane. 'Over the following days, Lehara underwent many tests and was placed on a cooling blanket to try and protect her brain from further injury,' Faith recounted in a harrowing public post to Facebook on May 20. Jana's white Hyundai Kona was found abandoned on Wednesday morning Jana's family believe she is the victim of foul play Faith (above) publicly announced in May that her baby daughter was in palliative care 'We later received the devastating news that she had suffered severe brain damage and was placed into palliative care.  'Since then, our days have been filled with heartbreak, love, and trying to make the most of every moment we get with our little girl. 'Although we don't know how much time we have left with her, we are cherishing every second, every cuddle, every little movement and every moment we get to spend by her side.' On May 27, Faith revealed Lehara had been allowed to return to the family's Toowoomba home 'after her sheer determination to stay with us a little longer'. 'Although we know our time with Lehara is limited, we are so grateful to be spending this time together at home as a family and just taking things one day at a time.' Jana wrote at the time: 'Our beautiful girl is so strong. We're holding onto every moment with her and surrounding her with so much love'.  Now, Faith is grappling with the unthinkable - a terminally ill newborn, a missing sister and caring for her baby nephew.  The Daily Mail understands Jana was not in a relationship with her son's father.  Jana (above) is a doting aunt to her siblings' kids, and dreamed of having her own child In a public Facebook post on Thursday, Faith indicated she 'strongly believes' that Jana has been a victim of foul play.  On Friday, she added: 'This is completely out of character for her. She would never just disappear, and she would never willingly leave her son.  'Being a mum is the most important thing to her, which is why we're so incredibly worried. 'We are asking everyone to please check your backyards, nearby gullies, creeks, bushland, and anywhere someone may not be easily seen. 'She has to be somewhere, and we're desperately hoping someone can help us find her.' Jana was last seen wearing a Country Road shirt, blue jeans, and black Havaianas thongs. 'We also ask that if you're sharing posts or speaking publicly about Jana's disappearance, please use the most up-to-date photos and only share information that has been confirmed by our family or the police,' Faith said.  'While we appreciate that people are trying to help, misinformation, speculation, or outdated information can make an already heartbreaking situation even more difficult and may hinder efforts to find her. Police on day three of the desperate search for Jana in the Toowoomba area 'If you have seen Jana or have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please contact the police immediately.' Jana's friend Amelia Street told the ABC the missing mother worked as a carer. 'She is such a gorgeous soul. She is an angel on Earth,' Ms Street said. Jana is described as Caucasian, about 165cm tall, with blue eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.