NSW Police investigate ‘suspicious’ disappearance of Zoran Popovski from Kogarah

An altercation in the hours before a man disappeared from Sydney’s south could be a crucial piece of the puzzle for police as they investigate his vanishing.

An altercation in the hours before a man disappeared from Sydney’s south could be a crucial piece of the puzzle for police as they investigate his vanishing, which they are now treating as suspicious.

Zoran Popovski, 54, was last seen on CCTV walking around on side streets near the Princes Highway at Kogarah about 12.40pm on April 14.

NSW Police returned to the Kogarah area on Thursday morning with cadaver dogs to carry out a search of the Kogarah area as they ramped up their hunt for Mr Popovski.

Detectives attached to Strike Force Yaminbah have called in the Homicide Squad to assist with their investigation, amid fears Mr Popovski may have been met with foul play.

His distraught daughter Rebecca Popovski told The Daily Telegraph she had been planning to see him on the day he disappeared, but he never showed.

Missing man Zoran Popovski. Picture: NSW Police

Police released CCTV vision of his last known movements.

“The family’s pretty stressed at the moment, we just want some answers,” she said.

“I’d see him daily. The morning that he went missing he called me and asked me to book him an Uber to go over to his place and collect him so he could come to my place but I told him I had to go to an appointment.

“That morning there was an altercation between him and his roommate.

“Police were called to the property, they were going to drop dad off to my place, but I was at my appointment.

“They dropped him to Hurstville train station because I wasn’t home … (and) that was the last anyone saw of him.”

Mr Popovski was understood to have been couch surfing in the lead up to his disappearance, but had most recently been staying with a friend on Green St.

St George Police Area Commander, Superintendent Rohan Cramsie, said the search for Mr Popovski “escalated” recently and that the incident on the morning he was last seen was being investigated.

“That certainly will form part of our investigation and we certainly are keeping an open mind about the circumstances that led up to his disappearance,” Supt Cramsie said.

“The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Mr Popovski have escalated. It becomes concerning that he hasn’t contacted any friends, or family, or associates.

“Investigators believe he has limited access to funds or money. So when you put those things together in totality, it is concerning, and the family are concerned and they are after some answers, as are investigators.

“What we’re hoping to uncover is any information or evidence that may assist the investigation, but indeed identify any witnesses who may not have already contacted police.”

Strike Force Yaminbah detectives, alongside Public Order and Riot Squad officers, searched the area around Green Street, Green Lane, French Street and Presidents Ave on Thursday.

Mr Popovski is described as being of caucasian appearance with an olive complexion, between 165cm to 170cm tall, of thin build, with black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured shirt, dark-coloured pants, and possibly wearing glasses.

Anyone with information should contact Kogarah Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.