Missing persons detectives hold ‘grave fears’ for Morwell man John Swiety
Police have “grave fears” for a Morwell man who went missing in Gippsland three months ago, while his loved ones have revealed their “suspicions” about his disappearance.
Police & Courts
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Loved ones of a missing Morwell man say they have “certain suspicions” about the circumstances of his disappearance, which police have dubbed as suspicious.
Missing persons detectives say they have “grave fears” for John Swiety, 57, who has not been seen for three months.
Mr Swiety was last seen on March 17 in the Gippsland town of Goongerah.
It comes as dozens of search and rescue police are conducting extensive line searches throughout the area this week.
About 25 police will trawl through dense bushland in a number of areas of interest, in a bid to find clues linked to Mr Swiety’s disappearance.
Police say Mr Swiety travelled with an associate in a white Hiace van from Morwell before he was dropped off at Ironbark Track about 8am.
He left the van on foot to canvass nearby surroundings, leaving his two terriers inside the vehicle.
Local deer hunters found the associate, a 47-year-old Morwell man, about 6am on March 18 after his van became bogged on a muddy track about 30km from Ironbark Track.
Detectives have interviewed the associate several times and forensically tested the vehicle.
Mr Swiety’s two dogs were found later that day on the Bonang Highway in Goongerah.
His brother, Les Swiety, said John had only recently met the associate who drove him to the area.
“He’d only just met John,” Les Swiety said on Tuesday.
“I had certain suspicions of my own, which are yet to be proven, exactly (what) those suspicions (are), I’d rather not disclose.”
He said John was “right into his horse riding” and that his two terrier dogs were “his world”.
“He was a real hard worker,” Les said of his brother.
“He was a happy person.”
Detective Inspector David Dunstan said police are keen to know more about John’s movements in the days leading up to his disappearance.
“We currently hold grave fears for John’s welfare and his disappearance is considered to be very much out of character,” Insp Dunstan said.
“The disappearance is suspicious in our opinion.
“We’re particularly keen to speak to anyone who has further information on what John was doing near the Ironbark Track or anyone who might have seen him or the white van in that area on the night.
“It is a remote area of Victoria. John’s family are desperate for answers and we’re hoping that someone will do the right thing and provide them.”
In March, John’s sister Lisa Swiety appealed for the help of the public online.
“Whoever has my brother, they will find you,” Ms Swiety posted on her Facebook page.
“There is no way in a million years his doggies (would) leave him. Hold on, brother, they shall find you. By the grace of God I know you shall return to us. We love you so very much. My life will be lost if you are not here.”
She also revealed Mr Swiety was king-hit in the days before he went missing.
The investigation continues.
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