By Matthew Pearce
Police are continuing the search for 80-year-old Peter Roach, more than two weeks after the elderly man vanished in Rockhampton.
Detective Acting Inspector Luke Peachey from the Capricorn Crime Group said the Rockhampton Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) was now leading the investigation into the disappearance of Mr Roach, who was last seen walking in Canning St, The Range, on Sunday, 21 May, after leaving Rockhampton Hospital.
“This is still an active missing persons investigation,” he said.
“We are following up on information as it comes in and have had unconfirmed sightings from all around the district, but to date we have still not been able to locate him.”
Det Act Insp Peachey said there had been alleged sightings in Emerald last week.
“This unfortunately didn’t turn out to be our missing person, but any sightings will be followed up on as we need to bring him home or give the family some peace.”
Det Act Insp Peachey said he believed there was still hope of finding Mr Roach alive, but said “as the days go by it’s getting less likely that we will find him”.
In the week following Mr Roach’s disappearance, police coordinated extensive search and rescue operations throughout the southside of Rockhampton, including the Fitzroy River, with assistance from the Stock Squad, SES volunteers, flood boats and RACQ CapRescue’s Rescue 300 helicopter.
Mr Roach is described as Caucasian in appearance, about 175cm tall, with a slim build, brown eyes, and dark-grey hair.
He was last seen wearing a grey jumper with long blue pants, a maroon shirt, and brown shoes.
Mr Roach is non-verbal, has one arm and police say he may be disoriented because of a medical condition.
Anyone with information regarding Mr Roach’s whereabouts should immediately contact Triple Zero (000).