Disappearance looks Suspicious’

Press, 23 January 1988, Page 37

Disappearance looks Suspicious’

PA Rotorua The disappearance of Milton Channing, of Taupo, three weeks ago is “starting to look suspicious,” the police said yesterday. “It is almost three weeks since he went missing and his vehicle has not been found,” said Senior-Sergeant Andy Warne of the Taupo police. “We are keeping an open mind. There has been nothing definite discovered that suggests foul play but as time goes on we are becoming more concerned.” The police are focusing their investigations on a section of the Mokai forest north of Taupo, after a reported sighting on Janu-

ary 3 of Mr Channing’s vehicle, a 1976 white Holden utility, by two people who knew Mr Channing. They made their third search of the area at the week-end. “We are making further inquiries to try to sort out why he would be in that area at the time,” Mr Warne said. An extensive private search for Mr Channing at the week-end has led his family to believe he has not "driven over a bank.” More than 100 people scoured forest trails near Taupo and roads from Waihi to Whangamata on Saturday without finding a trace of Mr Channing, who was said to have left Taupo for Whangamata on New Year’s Eve.