There are serious fears that the missing man who disappeared in remote Victoria three months ago could encounter foul play
- Grim turn in the search for the missing man
- John Swiety disappeared three months ago
Police fear a missing man who disappeared three months ago in regional Victoria may have played foul play.
Victoria Police said on Tuesday they believe 57-year-old John Swiety committed “crime” around March 17, when he was last seen in the remote town of Goongerah, more than five hours east of Melbourne.
Investigators said they believe Mr Swiety and another man, 47, described as an ‘associate’, left Morwell in a white Hiace van on the morning of his disappearance.
Victoria Police said on Tuesday they believe John Swiety, 57, engaged in ‘foul play’ around March 17, when he was last seen in the remote town of Goongerah, more than five hours east of Melbourne
Investigators said they have established Mr Swiety and another man, 47, described as an ‘associate’, left Morwell in a white Hiace van on the morning of his disappearance
They said the pair traveled to the Ironark Track in Goongerah, where Mr. Swiety was last seen.
At about 8 a.m., Mr. Swiety got out of the van, leaving his two terriers inside, and hasn’t been seen since.
Mr Swiety’s associate was found by hunters around 6am the following day after running aground about 18 miles south-east of Ironbark Track.
On the same afternoon, investigators said, Mr Swiety’s two dogs were found on Bonang Hwy in Goongerah.
They said Mr Swiety’s associate had been interviewed by detectives a number of times and is helping with the investigation.
Detective Inspector David Dunstan, of the Missing Person Squad, said police were keen to speak to anyone who knows what Mr Swiety was doing near the Ironbark Track or who may have seen the white van in the area that night.
“We currently have serious concerns for John’s well-being and his disappearance is considered very strange,” Detective Dunstan said.
“Detectives are eager to learn more about John’s movements in the days leading up to his disappearance,” he said.
“We especially want to speak to anyone who has more information about what John was doing near the Ironbark Track or anyone who saw him or the white van in that area that night.”
Victoria Police said they would like to speak to anyone who saw this van driving between Morwell and Goongerah on March 17.
Detective Dunstan said Mr Swiety’s family was “desperate” for answers.
“Over the past three months, both the missing persons team and local detectives have conducted a significant number of inquiries to try to determine John’s whereabouts, but we have been unable to locate him,” he said.
“We are urging anyone who does have information, whether from anyone who has seen John or knows his current whereabouts, to come forward and contact police.”
“John’s family is desperate for answers and we hope someone will do the right thing and give them.”
Police have released an image of the white van and would like to speak to anyone who saw it between Morwell and Goongerah on March 17.
