Search continues for missing Morwell man John Swiety last seen more than two weeks ago

John Swiety would have never abandoned his dogs. So when the terriers were found alone 200km from his home on March 22 his family knew something wasn’t right.

Relatives of a suspected homicide victim have released new photos of their loved one in a bid to find his body.

Hope is fading to find missing Morwell man John Swiety who was last seen almost three weeks ago on March 17 in regional Victoria.

On Wednesday Mr Swiety’s siblings released new photos to the Herald Sun, in the desperate hope they may lead to answers about his suspicious disappearance.

Victoria Police’s missing persons squad, part of the homicide squad, has taken charge of the investigation.

No arrests have been made.

Family say Mr Swiety would never have abandoned his dogs.

The Morwell man’s sudden disappearance a fortnight ago has prompted a major police probe, with his family and investigators fearing he was the victim of foul play.

Missing Morwell man John Swiety

Mr Swiety is a suspected homicide victim. Picture: Supplied

The discovery of Mr Swiety’s two small terrier dogs, found abandoned more than 200km from his home in a remote pocket of East Gippsland, was the first sign that something was seriously amiss.

The circumstances of Mr Swiety’s suspicious disappearance have led investigators to believe the 57-year-old has met with foul play.

The suspected homicide victim’s body is yet to be found, after extensive searches in the region.

Detectives say they have no official suspects and the case is wide open.

Mr Swiety left his Morwell home about 2am on March 17 in a white Toyota Hiace van.

He was picked up by a man, the owner of the van, whose identity is unknown to the public.

The pair had only recently become acquaintances.

They travelled more than 260km to Nurran and stopped outside a property on Old Kent Road.

This is where Mr Swiety was last seen.

Missing Morwell man John Swiety is believed to have left his Morwell address on March 17 in a white Toyota Hiace van.

“They were travelling up there to visit somebody, we don’t know who that is,” Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan, of the missing persons squad said.

“We do not know the reason for the meeting, why he (John) was travelling there.”

Officers believe the pair were due to continue on to Goongerah, a further 50km drive north.

Mr Swiety got out of the vehicle at Nurran.

“John left the location for a period of time, the person in the van remained there for several hours,” Insp Dunstan said.

“John hadn’t returned (so the driver) drove off.

“The person who dropped him off wasn’t familiar with the local area.”

The rural area is remote.

Mr Swiety was inseparable from his two small terrier dogs, who were found abandoned on the Bonang Highway on March 18, approximately 15km west of Old Kent Road.

They were found by a passer-by wandering near the road.

The canines were microchipped which led authorities to contact Mr Swiety’s sister Lisa.

She reported her brother missing on March 22, four days after the dogs were found.

“There is no way in a million years his doggies (would) leave him,” she posted online this week.

Victoria Police’s missing persons squad has taken charge of the investigation. Picture: Supplied

Family say Mr Swiety would never have abandoned his dogs. Picture: Supplied

Insp Dunstan said: “He travelled everywhere with his dogs. He was very close to his dogs. He wouldn’t leave his dogs alone.”

In the days since Ms Swiety has appealed for the help of the public online.

“Whoever has my brother, they will find you,” Ms Swiety said in a now deleted facebook post.

“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 no here.”

She also revealed Mr Swiety was king-hit in the days before he went missing.

At time of print Victoria Police had no official suspects and had not formally interviewed anyone.

They say they have spoken to around half a dozen people, including the driver of the van.

“There is a number of people we have spoken to,” Insp Dunstan said.

“There are several people that haven’t been ruled out. It is the early stages of the investigation. (There are) no firm suspects.”

He said Mr Swiety hadn’t contacted family or friends, or used his phone, for an extended period of time.

“The circumstances of his disappearance are suspicious,” Insp Dunstan said.

“We believe he has been met with foul play.

“We have no information to suggest he is alive at this stage. There is still that possibility (he is alive).

“We have no information as to where John is or what happened to him.”

In coming days investigators will probe whether Mr Swiety’s prior history, including low level drug crime, has anything to do with his disappearance.

They are keen to hear from anyone who saw the white van travelling on May 17 between Morwell and Goongerah.

Mr Swiety is about 170cm tall, caucasian with short brown hair.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.