The miraculous survival of German backpacker Carolina Wilga in the West Australian outback was met with joy and relief across the country. But for families of missing Aboriginal men who are still searching for answers, it's prompted uncomfortable questions.

"It sounds cruel to say, but when an Aboriginal male goes missing, most of the public don't care," says private investigator Robyn Cottman, who is representing the families of the missing men.

Clinton Lockyer's aunty, Annalee Lockyer, says the perceived indifference adds to their grief.

"Of course we're all glad the backpacker is alive, but it did hurt to see all the coverage," she says.

"You think, does anyone care about our boys the same way? It's not nice to feel like their lives don't even matter — it really hurts."