New Zealand - Michael McGrath, 49, still missing, Christchurch, 21 May 2017 *arrest* *Mistrial*

"Police will next week search new "areas of interest" in the hunt for Christchurch builder Michael McGrath.

Specialist police search teams will be brought in next week, alongside civilian teams, to search specific areas for evidence in the case.

Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney said police had consulted an international expert in "locating evidence" in recent weeks.

He said police had found "areas of interest" in the Christchurch region."


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11898688
 
Investigators started a "new search phase" on Tuesday after consulting an international evidence recovery expert and "based on information and sightings we have collected throughout the investigation", Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney said.

Their focus areas include Lincoln, Halswell and Ellesmere – including in a pine forest and gravel pits in Birdling's Flat, which is between Lake Ellesmere and the South Pacific Ocean.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/new...t-for-clues-in-michael-mcgraths-disappearance
 
Investigators started a "new search phase" on Tuesday after consulting an international evidence recovery expert and "based on information and sightings we have collected throughout the investigation", Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney said.

Their focus areas include Lincoln, Halswell and Ellesmere – including in a pine forest and gravel pits in Birdling's Flat, which is between Lake Ellesmere and the South Pacific Ocean.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/new...t-for-clues-in-michael-mcgraths-disappearance

Thanks Galliope for starting this thread.
I only found it, from a prompt, from another site.
It would be terrific, if new threads could somehow be listed.
I am sure others would love to contribute, trying to help these 'souls'.
 
There is a tiny snippet of new information here. Items of interest include clothing!!


Then came a 70-day search through 2700 tonnes of rubbish at the Kate Valley Landfill in Waipara. It ended on Thursday and the "items of interest" collected – which includes clothing – will be sent for forensic testing. How many there are, police will not say, but the testing is expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars.


https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/96147689/almost-100-days-and-no-sign-of-michael-mcgrath
 
Thanks Galliope for starting this thread.
I only found it, from a prompt, from another site.
It would be terrific, if new threads could somehow be listed.
I am sure others would love to contribute, trying to help these 'souls'.

Brilliant to have you on the case Tmar. I'm pretty sure I'm the only local here.

"Helping these souls" Is such a great way of putting it. Wish I could do more to help Michael and his family.
 
There is a tiny snippet of new information here. Items of interest include clothing!!


Then came a 70-day search through 2700 tonnes of rubbish at the Kate Valley Landfill in Waipara. It ended on Thursday and the "items of interest" collected – which includes clothing – will be sent for forensic testing. How many there are, police will not say, but the testing is expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars.


https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/96147689/almost-100-days-and-no-sign-of-michael-mcgrath

Thanks Galliope.
POI goes to transfer station shortly after Michael's disappearance.
Police stating that spending heaps on 'items of interest' including clothing.
Sounds promising. ?? suspicious to state this.
 
There is a tiny snippet of new information here. Items of interest include clothing!!


Then came a 70-day search through 2700 tonnes of rubbish at the Kate Valley Landfill in Waipara. It ended on Thursday and the "items of interest" collected – which includes clothing – will be sent for forensic testing. How many there are, police will not say, but the testing is expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars.


https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/96147689/almost-100-days-and-no-sign-of-michael-mcgrath

Calliope:
From date when POI went to transfer station, the vicinity of his dump, may have been calculated.

If clothing, suspected to be Michael's (verified by family) had blood, then DNA analysis would be undertaken.
It would be brilliant, if on Michael's clothing, both his DNA on blood, PLUS that of another person, was identified.
 
Police searching for Michael McGrath’s body, no longer a missing person case

https://www.star.kiwi/2017/12/police-searching-michael-mcgraths-body-no-longer-missing-person-case/

Police have said for the first time they believe missing man Michael McGrath is dead.


Some interesting new information here JerseyGirl:


“Stuff is reporting a firearm belonging to Mr Benbow appears to be missing.”

Why dispose of the firearm, unless the perpetrator was expecting the body to be found? Maybe it is in a more obvious place than everyone is thinking. Surely he must have considered the police would be looking at him since he was the last person to see Michael alive. A missing firearm is going to immediately draw attention.


“This has helped us gain valuable information from the public, in particular, we have good information and sightings from Sunday evening through to Monday 21 and 22 May.”

Sightings of whom? Michael McGrath or David Benbow? I wish they would say more.
 
On Friday, Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney said police were "making progress" on the case. He said in an earlier interview he believed McGrath was dead.

"We've got a lot of work going on in the background, it's a detailed investigation and I'm confident we're on the right track.

"It's the goal of the team to resolve this. Have no doubt it's at the very forefront our daily thinking this case."

This article also includes an interview with Michael’s brother, Simon.

I think of Michael and his family often and hope there is resolution for them soon.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/crim...th-disappearance-puts-home-up-for-sale--again
 
So sad.:(:(
No information coming through after many months.
 

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