Police believe a network of criminals was involved in Dalibor ‘Dale’ Pantic’s disappearance
A tip off about a suspicious car in the forest has led to a major breakthrough in the hunt for the remains of a Lakes Entrance father believed to have been killed more than a year ago.
True Crime
Don't miss out on the headlines from True Crime. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A car has been found in the Missing Persons Squad investigation into the suspected murder of Lakes Entrance dad Dalibor ‘Dale’ Pantic.
Police searched the Bunyip State Park in Labertouche last week for Mr Pantic’s 2005 silver Ford Falcon and remains.
Neither were recovered but publicity of the search prompted several people to call police with information about a suspicious car in the forest.
Police subsequently retrieved a silver Ford in the Bunyip State Park last Friday.
It is currently undergoing forensic testing to determine if it belonged to Mr Pantic.
The discovery is a huge breakthrough in the investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Mr Pantic last April.
Police and drones scoured Bunyip State Park for signs of Mr Pantic, 38, who was last seen at a farm in Perry Bridge, about 240km east of Melbourne, the night of April 10, 2019.
Missing Persons Squad detectives believe he was killed and that his body and car may have been dumped in the dense bushland.
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper last week told the Herald Sun Mr Pantic was a “fairly significant player” in the east Gippsland and Latrobe drug scene and that a network of criminals were likely involved in his disappearance.
“We don’t believe one person has been responsible for what we believe to be the death of Dale and getting rid of his car,” Insp. Stamper said. “We believe a number of persons were involved.”
Investigators have previously released footage of Mr Pantic’s 2005 silver Ford Falcon sedan, registration 1NK 8BP, leaving a property in Sale at 10.58pm on April 12, two days after he vanished.
Investigators have established Mr Pantic was not driving the car and that it was driven toward Labertouche, about 130km away.
Missing Persons Squad detectives, the Remote Piloted Aircraft and Systems Unit (drones), Mounted Branch, specialist solo units and local police will today search specific areas of bushland off Forest Rd within Bunyip State Park for Mr Pantic’s remains and car.
The area is heavily forested with steep embankments rarely explored.
Mr Stamper said “knowing where he is and what happened to him” is their number one priority.
Mr Pantic had five children and planned to marry his fiancee Malina Teohaere before he disappeared.
Ms Teohaere told the Herald Sun she and Mr Pantic were Easter shopping for their kids the day he vanished.
She reported him missing on April 13 after he failed to return home.
“He was on his phone most of the time we were at the shops and said his friend wanted a lift to Melbourne so he needed to leave early,” she said.
“His two older daughters were supposed to be coming down with him from Melbourne the next day.”
A man from Sale was earlier arrested over Mr Pantic’s disappearance but released pending further inquiries.
All proof of life inquiries including phone, bank and social media account checks show no signs of Mr Pantic being alive.
A theory for his disappearance is he came into money troubles related to drugs.
Mr Stamper said: “Regardless of his background he is still a father and from what we know, he led a fairly normal family life.”
“His kids loved him and share the same concerns we do in terms of what happened. They want answers. It’s a pain that never goes away.”
Last June his family offered a $10,000 reward for information about his whereabouts.
Mr Pantic’s car was seen driving across Melbourne in the days after he vanished.
The first sighting was at a service station inbound on the Princes Freeway at Officer at 12.28am on April 12.
It was seen again outbound on EastLink at the Springvale Road/Ringwood Bypass at 11.59am and at the High Street Road/Ferntree Gully Road exit at 12.07pm.
Mr Stamper said: “Someone out there has the answers we need – I can promise that police are absolutely going to keep searching for them ourselves, but if you do know something, then the time to come forward is now.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MORE NEWS
FATHER BREAKS SILENCE OVER FAMILY TRAGEDY
Latorre confronted extended family before ‘targeted hit’
Police continue to investigate the “targeted hit” of suspected mafia figure John Latorre, who was murdered in his driveway just weeks after a bitter confrontation with two men.
What is a Walkinshaw: Rare car key to Rachelle’s murder case explained
Before Rachelle Childs was brutally murdered, the car lover was bragging about getting to drive a rare Walkinshaw Holden Commodore. See why it's so revered and listen to the latest podcast episode.