Murder theory for missing miner

Greymouth police say they have not ruled out the possibility that missing Kumara gold prospector Hugh McAllister might have been murdered. The 70-year-old, who moved to the West Coast five years ago to take up gold mining, disappeared in January while prospecting in the Greenstone district of the Taramakau River.

He was last seen in Kumara on January 21 but it was a week later before friends and family realised that he may be missing and contacted police. Thorough land, air and river searches — including checks of old mine shafts in the area — failed to turn up any trace of Mr McAllister, although his ute, containing a small cache of gold, was located by his son, who still lives in Kumara. The vehicle was found on a side road at Greenstone.
West Coast police area commander Inspector John Canning said today Mr McAllister’s disappearance remained a missing persons inquiry, but murder was another consideration.
Police had also considered the possibility that he was in hiding, having previously flitted between Australia, Hawke’s Bay and his new home on the West Coast.
The missing man’s daughter, Brenda Wilkinson, of Brisbane, discounts the theory that her father had faked his disappearance or had an accident, telling the Hawke’s Bay Today newspaper that the family believed he had met with foul play.
“Some say he must have had an accident because he was elderly, but I don’t believe that,” she said.
Mrs Wilkinson told the Greymouth Star on the six-month anniversary of his disappearance that the family was “hopeful” of finding their father alive, but it was hard to remain positive.
“It has been a very sad day today, and just seems like it is never going to end — I just wish someone would say if they have seen him, or know anything. The police have only found his car, not clothing, not keys.”
Mr Canning said he was aware of the family’s murder theory but police could only go on evidence and there had been very little of that to date.
“Foul play is one of the scenarios we have to investigate. I actually had four detectives from Nelson down here a fortnight ago going over the case.
“We have an open mind, it could be a missing person case and could be something more serious, but we have to go on facts. Mrs Wilkinson has her opinion and we respect that, but we have to rely on evidence.”
Mr Canning said he intended to have a briefing with the detectives soon and would decide what direction the inquiry should take after that.