Home of man at centre of inquiry put up for sale again
The prison guard at the centre of a police inquiry into Michael McGrath’s disappearance is auctioning his home as he remains on ‘‘special leave’’.
Yesterday marked 292 days since McGrath, 49, left his Halswell home without his car or his bike. The cash-job builder left his home locked with his wallet and money inside on May 21. He was not seen again.
Police have said David Charles Benbow, McGrath’s childhood friend, was a ‘‘person of interest’’ who needed to be ‘‘eliminated’’ from the missing person inquiry.
Benbow’s four-bedroom Halswell home, built in 2016, is listed online for sale by Bayleys. The 195-square-metre Candys Rd house, on 1980 square metres of land, has a rateable value of $680,000.
The listing says the home suits families ‘‘looking for ample space to live and play’’.
Another real estate agency listed Benbow’s home for sale in October. The listing was removed after it was reported the house was for sale. The real estate agent said it was ‘‘too much of a hassle’’.
Shortly before McGrath disappeared, he and Benbow worked on the deck of Benbow’s house. McGrath made a playhouse for Benbow’s two children.
Yesterday, Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney said police were ‘‘making progress’’ on the case. He said in an earlier interview he believed McGrath was dead.
‘‘We’ve got a lot of work going on in the background, it’s a detailed investigation and I’m confident we’re on the right track.
‘‘It’s the goal of the team to resolve this. Have no doubt it’s at the very forefront our daily thinking this case.’’
The Press revealed earlier that a rifle belonging to Benbow, who has a firearm’s licence, appears to be missing.
Benbow has said previously he was the victim of a witch hunt by police and media and was surprised by McGrath’s disappearance.
A Corrections spokesman confirmed the prison guard remains on ‘‘special leave’’.
Police spent about 10 days searching Benbow’s Candys Rd property. The Press has previously revealed Benbow went to the Parkhouse Rd, Sockburn, transfer station soon after McGrath’s disappearance to dump a small amount of rubbish.
Investigators seized and searched Benbow’s 1999 Toyota Camry car.
Benbow and McGrath went to Hillmorton High School together and drank together at a Halswell pub. Benbow’s brother played rugby with McGrath.
Benbow’s former partner, Joanna Green, who is also a person of interest to the inquiry and a friend of McGrath’s, was at school with both men. She split from Benbow before McGrath went missing.