Police believe body found is missing man, Greg Pearton

Police believe 63-year-old Rokeby man, Greg Pearton, who had been missing for three days, sadly drowned after a fall — leaving a family devastated.

Inspector Andrew Keane, of Bellerive Police, at Rokeby, where an operations centre has been established as part of the ongoing search for missing man, Greg Pearton. Picture: Tasmania Police.

UPDATE 4.20pm: A three day search has ended in tragedy with a missing man believed to have drowned.

Inspector Andrew Keane confirmed Rokeby man Greg Pearton was found in a creek just off Droughty Point Rd about 9.30am on Sunday, found just two kilometres from his home.

At this stage, initial investigations suggest there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mr Pearton, 63, was last seen Thursday not far from his home.

“He was found by two members of the public who were searching the area,” Inspector Keane said.

“We’ve been inundated with calls and assistance from the public who have been assisting us in searching the greater Rokeby and Howrah areas. The family is very grateful for that.”

The coroner will investigate the causes around Mr Pearton’s death.

Inspector Kean said early investigations show Mr Pearton went for a walk to Droughty Point Road.

“Sadly, he’s taken a shortcut across the creek and he’s slipped and fallen,” he said.

The creek which runs alongside the road down to the beach, which is quite steep and covered in blackberry and bramble bushes.

“It’s quite treacherous terrain,” Inspector Keane said.

“The water there is very dark, two and a half meters deep and a very difficult location to search.”

The cause of death cannot be confirmed until a post mortem has been conducted but early indications are that Mr Pearton drowned.

A witness saw Mr Pearton walking to Droughty Point at around 1pm Thursday and police believe it was around then when he slipped and fell.

Police had launched a large search, including Search and Rescue officers, uniform police patrols and aerial searches using police drones and helicopter resources.

“We searched all the bushland around the area, we searched the coastal areas,” Inspector Keane said.

“We’ve even been testing our new underwater drone.”

Inspector Keane said he had spoken to Mr Pearton’s four daughters.

“They’re understandably devastated,” he said.

“This has come completely out of the blue, they’re very close to their father. Anytime an unexpected death happens, it’s very tragic.”

UPDATE MAY 18, 12.45pm: Police believe a body found in a Rokeby creek is that of missing 63-year-old Rokeby man, Greg Pearton.

Inspector Andrew Kean confirmed the man was found in a creek just off Droughty Point Rd about 9.30am on Sunday.

Extensive land, air and sea search had been conducted to find the man reported missing on Thursday afternoon.

Inspector Keane said their thoughts are with the Mr Pearton’s family and loved ones at this tragic time.

“Initial investigations suggest there was no suspicious circumstances however forensic examinations will now take place as is the usual process and a report will be prepared for the Coroner,” he said.

Inspector Keane thanked members of the Eastern Shore community who banded together to search for the man and provided valuable information through the three day search.

“Every piece of information provided by the community was assessed and was followed up as a matter of priority,” he said.

“We appreciate the assistance of the local community at this very sad time.”

A 63-year-old man has been reported missing on Hobart's Eastern Shore and was last seen near his home at Rokeby. Picture: Supplied

UPDATE MAY 17, 8.30am: The search for a missing Tasmanian father has entered a third day after his daughter plead to the public for help yesterday.

On Sunday morning, police said the search is continuing for the man, Greg Pearton, who was reported missing on Hobart’s Eastern Shore on Thursday afternoon.

Search and Rescue officers, uniform police patrols and aerial searches using police drones and helicopter resources have been used over the past two days in efforts to find the man.

The last confirmed sighting of the man was near his Rokeby home.

Police said the man’s family held serious concerns for his welfare as he lives with a medical condition and would be in urgent need of medication.

The man was last seen wearing black track pants with a black top and could be identified by a walking style that has a distinct shuffle and forward-leaning posture.

On Friday, his daughter Kellie Salter said: “We need to find him. We’re pretty scared.”

If anyone has information or has seen the man, they are being urged to contact police on 131 444.

INITIAL: The daughter of a Tasmanian man missing since early Thursday morning has made an impassioned plea to the public for help in bringing her sick dad home safely.

Greg Pearton, 63, was last seen about 9am at his home in Rokeby on Thursday morning and despite an extensive air and land search has not been found.

One of his daughters, Kellie Salter, made an emotional plea for help in finding him.

“Please, please, if anyone has seen dad, or anyone described as what we’ve said, or seen the pictures, can you please call the police?’ Ms Salter said.

“We need to find him.

“We’re pretty scared.

“This is a long time without his medication. He really needs it. We need to get him home.”

Inspector Andrew Keane said “significant concerns” were held for Mr Pearton’s safety.

“He does have a medical condition that requires treatment and we now have significant concerns for his safety, not just because he’s missing but because he is also missing his medication,” he said.

“He doesn’t walk very far we believe because of his medical condition it’s quite likely he could be anywhere between the Rokeby and Howrah areas.”

Mr Pearton was last seen wearing black track pants with a black top and could be identified by a walking style that has a distinct shuffle and forward-leaning posture.

Inspector Keane asked the public to check their properties for any sign of Mr Pearton.

“It’s possible, due to his age, he’s had a fall, and we would like everybody to be checking their back and front yards to see if they can see Mr Pearton.

“They shouldn’t move or touch him, he might have hypothermia.”

Helicopters and police drones using night vision and land based searches have been done across the Rokeby, Howrah and Glebe Hill areas by police and family members.

Insp Keane said: We haven’t given up hope by any means, but as the hours progress, the days progress, our concerns become more and more serious, especially for a person who requires medication.”

The temperature is expected to drop overnight adding to concerns about Mr Pearton’s safety.

If you have any information that could help, phone police on 131 444.

Originally published as Police believe body found is missing man, Greg Pearton