It's now been almost a week since 47-year-old Brett Hall was reported missing and extensive searching around his lifestyle block off the Whanganui River Road have given no indication of his current whereabouts.
At a media conference this afternoon at Whanganui Police Station Detective Senior Sergeant David Kirby announced that a team of detectives are working alongside the search operation, treating it as if it were a homicide.
"Although we don't know yet whether a crime has been committed it is prudent for us to operate as if we were dealing with a homicide. We do not want to get two weeks or two months down the track, find out that some harm has come to Mr Hall, and then have to try and back capture a wealth of information," said Detective Senior Sergeant Kirby.
He disclosed a number of reasons that are causing Police concern.
The area is isolated with access to Mr Hall's property approximately 2km along a poorly maintained dirt track. It is not a property easily accessed on foot.
Mr Hall's Toyota Hilux is next to his insecure caravan with his quad bike is just a few hundred metres away. This is indicative of him not venturing far if he had gone hunting. Although the scenario that he has become lost or injured hunting has not been ruled out, the search and rescue teams would have expected to have found some evidence of his movements and they haven't.
Mr Hall is in regular contact with his family and sees them regularly so it is out of character for him not to make contact.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kirby also revealed at the media conference that Mr Hall has a chequered history and has associations with people who have also come to police attention. The detail of Mr Hall's history is not being disclosed as there is nothing to suggest it is relevant and it could lead to unhelpful speculation.
"I am mentioning his history simply because it is important to establish whether it has any bearing on Mr Hall's disappearance, and I want friends and associates who know that history to consider any possible explanations for him going missing."
Brett Hall was known in his younger years by the nickname Jimmy. It is possible that some friends or associates still know him by this nickname rather than Brett.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Whanganui Police on 06 349 0600. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.
