Mystery deepens as car found abandoned of man missing in Sunbury

The family of missing man have urged for public help after his car was found abandoned and his phone traced to a park in Broadmeadows, Victoria

A family is pleading for information for missing son who vanished without a trace, with his car abandoned and no sign of contact, in northwest Victoria.

Joshua Bishop, 23, was last seen in Lalor Crescent at 9.30pm on 27 May by a housemate, and was subsequently reported missing by his mother on 29 May.

The 23-year-old was last seen on 27 May by his housemate and reported missing by his mother two days later. Picture: Supplied.

Joshua’s phone and bank accounts remain inactive, and he has not made contact with his family or friends in the past 10 days.

Joshua’s mobile phone was tracked by detectives to a park in the Broadmeadows are on 27 May.

However, after a significant search by police with the aid of a dog squad and drones, on Wednesday, they were unable to locate Joshua.

His parents Kristie and Travis Bishop, broke down in tears when urging for public help on 9News.

“We’ve got a great community where we live in Sunbury, great support, great friends, great family,” his mother Kristie said.

“Everyone’s backing us, we’ve had a lot of support, but still we haven’t gotten any closer to our son which is hard,” his father Travis also said.

His mother continued saying “I just can’t believe no one knows nothing, I just can’t believe that.”

“Someone knows something,” she said.

“If he’s struggling … and he thinks no one is there for him, there is. We just want him to know we love him, we believe him, we just want him safe,” Travis said.

Joshua Bishop, 23, has been missing for 10 days, as police ramp up investigations in an increasingly suspicious disappearance. Police and family are concerned for his welfare and his disappearance is believed to be completely out of character. Picture: Victoria Police

“I don’t know how people go through this, I don’t know how anyone goes through this.

“Our son, Josh, is liked by everyone, everyone loves him. I don’t see any enemies or anything like that.”

Travis described his son as caring brother, who was always there to support and help his younger brothers.

“We’re all just praying that he’s safe,” Travis said.

Joshua’s family have expressed concern for his welfare, saying it is “completely out of character”.

Detectives are appealing for public assistance to locate missing Sunbury man Joshua Bishop (third right). Picture: Supplied.

His car — a white Toyota Corolla — had been located by investigators in Ridley Street, Albion on Wednesday.

His associates have told police that they believe his car was stolen from him, however, no formal theft report was filed.

Police have not been able to rule out any suspicions based on the circumstances around his disappearance.

Although Joshua has not been reported missing before and is not known to the police, they are currently investigating if he has been involved in criminal activity.

Acting Detective Sergeant Matthew Wilson-Hawe said the police have conducted extensive inquiries and searches to find Joshua in the past 10 days.

“We were able to track his phone to a park in Broadmeadows, however despite an extensive search of the area we were unable to locate any trace of Joshua,” he said

“At this stage we simply don’t know what has happened to him and have increasing concerns for his welfare.”

The aspiring personal trainer’s mental and physical health was declining in recent weeks, according to his mother. Picture: Supplied,

Sergeant Wilson-Hawe said Mr Bishop’s disappearance on all accounts is incredibly out of character.

“The more time passes without us hearing Joshua or getting any information about his whereabouts, the more we believe his disappearance is likely to be suspicious,” he said.

His mother Kristie also said that that the 23-year-old aspiring personal trainer’s physical and mental health had declined recently.

“I could see he had changed in his face, his body. He’d always been into fitness and the dramatic weight loss was a real concern for me,” Kristie told 9News.

“I just want to know that he’s safe. Safe and alive, that’s all we want.”

Joshua younger brother, Riley, said that his brother “never put himself first” and that “he always put the people he loved before him”.

“He was very into his fitness. He wanted to start up his own personal training (business),” Riley said.

“He just loved learning.”

Travis Bishop said his son Joshua (left), was well-liked by everyone. Picture: Supplied,

Joshua has been described as Caucasian in appearance, with an average build, short hair and blue eyes

The 23-year-old was last seen wearing a black singlet and track pants.

Police are urging for anyone who has seen Mr Bishop since 27 May or who has information about his whereabouts to come forward.

They are also appealing for Mr Bishop to make contact with authorities himself, should he become aware of the public appeal.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Mystery deepens as car found abandoned of man missing in Sunbury