Zane Stevens, 21, was last seen travelling with another man in a grey Toyota Landcruiser when the car became bogged in marshland at Coconut Wells, north of Broome, on April 26.
After setting off on foot to seek help, the two men separated at some point and Mr Stevens has not been seen since.
"The other male has subsequently come across another vehicle which has picked him up and conducted a search and he has come back to Broome," Superintendent Steve Thompson told reporters on Friday.
Supt Thompson said police had found footprints and an item of clothing believed to belong to the missing man.
"A tactical response group, despite difficult terrain and large search area, were able to pick up indications and footmarks in the area which are consistent with someone moving around the area that we think is Zane trying to recover the vehicle," he said.
But after a week, the search has been suspended unless further information comes to light.
"We've exhausted where those footmarks lead us to. We've checked all there is we can," Supt Thompson said.
Mr Stevens' family has been notified of the suspended search but have called on anyone with information to contact police in the hope he may still be found.
"We're not coping well at all because all we do is want him home," his aunt Tania said.
"All we want is someone to come forward, let us know where he is and that he is safe."
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