Tasmania Police reinvestigate Bruce Fairfax disappearance as criminal matter

In 2017, Bruce Fairfax went walking with his wife at the Duckhole Lake Track, but after they became separated, he was never seen again. Six years on, police are reinvestigating his disappearance.

Bruce Fairfax with one of his daughters. Picture: Louise Fairfax via Instagram

On October 14, 2017, Launceston father and husband Bruce Fairfax was walking with his wife and their dog at the Duckhole Lack Track in the state’s South, when they became separated, never to be reunited.

The disappearance of the 66-year old retired teacher from Launceston prompted an extensive search for the bushwalker, but no trace of him was found.

Missing Launceston man Bruce Fairfax who disappeared at Duckhole Lake track, south of Dover. This photo was taken of him shortly before he disappeared. Picture: Twitter

When the search was suspended, police said Mr Fairfax could not have survived because of his medical condition, Parkinson’s disease, and the length of time he had been missing.

Six year on and police are hoping to find the answers which eluded them when Mr Fairfax disappeared, but this time, detectives will look at the case as a criminal investigation.

“The initial missing persons case floundered a little bit, we didn’t find anything and as a result of that, we’ve taken an avenue to try to resolve this matter,” Tasmania Police detective acting inspector Michael Foster said on Monday.

“We’ve put a different lens over it, that being a criminal investigation lens to make sure we haven’t missed anything.”

The Westpac rescue helicopter conducted low altitude search passes. Police and SES co-ordinated a search for 66-year-old Bruce Fairfax who went missing in the Duckhole Lake region south of Dover on in 2017. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Inspector Foster said there wasn’t any new information or evidence and there were no suspects.

He said taking the route of a criminal investigation was simply to look at the case from a different perspective.

“We’ll be seeking to speak with witnesses and any other persons who might know something,” he said.

“At this stage we’re not ruling anything in or anything out until all the information comes forward.”

Bruce Fairfax with one of his daughters. Picture: Louise Fairfax via Instagram

The renewed investigations will involve once again scouring the area Mr Fairfax was last seen, something which is expected to begin within the next few weeks.

“In the next couple of weeks there will be an extensive search with a lot of resources involved,” inspector Foster said.

“The area would be a totally different topographical area.”

He said police had spoken to some family, but the option of pursuing a criminal investigation was not at their request.

“Everyone would have some knowledge of someone in this situation and it’s just heartbreaking for everyone involved and they want closure as much as we do,” he said.

Originally published as Tasmania Police reinvestigate Bruce Fairfax disappearance as criminal matter