‘Something sinister’ in disappearance
The brother of missing Christchurch builder Michael McGrath believes ‘‘something sinister’’ has happened to him, as police appeal for sightings of a late 1990s silver Toyota Camry saloon in connection with his disappearance.
McGrath was last seen at his home in Checketts Ave, Halswell, about 4.30pm on Sunday, May 21. His cellphone and bank cards have not been used since.
The 49-year-old, who mainly did cash building jobs, was reported missing after he failed to turn up for dinner with his mother two days later, Detective Senior Sergeant Kylie Schaare revealed on Police Ten 7 last night.
Family found McGrath’s property locked and his wallet and cash were inside.
His blue Subaru station wagon, usually parked in the garage, was found in the driveway, Schaare told the show.
McGrath may have had an appointment in Halswell on May 22, which he ‘‘may or may not’’ have attended, she said.
Simon McGrath told Police Ten 7 he knew straight away ‘‘something bad had happened’’ to his brother, who had a good set of friends and was always on the right side of the law.
‘‘We have these nightmares, I wake up and I’m living the nightmare.
‘‘I think something sinister has happened to him.’’
Police appealed for sightings of the Toyota Camry in Halswell or the greater Christchurch area in May, particularly the period from May 21 to 23.
Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney, officer in charge of the major inquiry, said he could provide no other details about the car.
Of the two visitors who had seen McGrath on May 21, one had been eliminated from the inquiry, he said.
Michael McGrath’s longtime friend David Benbow, a prison guard, remained a person of interest to the investigation.
Early in the inquiry police focused on Benbow’s Sabys Rd, Halswell home and a search of the Kate Valley Landfill in North Canterbury was prompted by Benbow dropping off rubbish at the Parkhouse Rd transfer station in Wigram after McGrath went missing.
He has maintained he is the victim of a witch hunt and had nothing to do with McGrath’s disappearance.
Benbow’s 1999 Toyota Camry vehicle was seized by police from a Halswell panelbeaters after McGrath’s disappearance and returned after it was thoroughly searched.
McGrath and Benbow grew up together in Halswell and McGrath worked on Benbow’s recently-built house.
Benbow broke up with his partner earlier this year and it was believed she and McGrath had started a relationship.
Police are working their way through about 2700 tonnes of rubbish at Kate Valley.
Sweeney said a team of more than 20 officers had searched the landfill over the last five weeks and a considerable number of items of interest had been identified.
Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price was among about two dozen staff at the site yesterday.
‘‘I’m not going to ask anyone to do anything I wouldn’t do myself,’’ he said.
He described the search as a ‘‘dirty job … that needs to be done in order to bring peace to Michael’s family’’.
Price said he was raking rubbish, ‘‘pulling it to bits and looking for any possible items of interest’’.
‘‘The smell is not as bad as I thought it would be. There’s quite a decomposing reek. Everything you can imagine is there. I haven’t seen so many nappies in my lifetime. I’ll go home and have a shower, that’s for sure.’’
He praised the dedicated staff who had been involved in the challenging search.
Anyone with information about McGrath’s disappearance could call 0800 346 364 (0800 findmichael) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.