TIMELINE: 200 DAYS

❚ May 21: Michael McGrath last seen at his home.

❚ May 23-27: McGrath is reported missing. A police search starts in greater Halswell.

❚ May 31: Police begin search of David Benbow’s home and the home of his mother, Shirley Benbow.

❚ June 1: Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney says police still hope to find McGrath alive.

❚ June 5-June 15: Police divers hunt for clues in Halswell waterways. Police begin the search at Kate Valley landfill.

❚ July 19-26: A dedicated phone line is set up and police appeal for sightings of a late 1990s silver Toyota Camry saloon.

❚ August 3-August 24: Police identify areas of interest in the greater Christchurch region. Their focus includes Lincoln, Halswell and Ellesmere. They completee a

70-day dump search.

❚ October 2 – Benbow puts his house up for sale.

❚ October 7 – McGrath’s brother, Simon, posts a moving tribute on Facebook, appearing to have lost hope his sibling is still alive.

❚ November 2 – Police have extensive forensic testing work under way with ESR.