By Katrina Tap Macey Turner
Kalgoorlie Police hold grave concerns for an Esperance man missing for seven weeks.
Dean Barry Edwards was last seen purchasing food and fuel at a service station in Norseman, 634 kilometres east of Perth, on May 16.
The 59-year-old is from Castletown, a suburb of Esperance, and is believed to have left the area to head north.
Police were notified of Mr Edwards’ disappearance by his brother, who raised concerns for his welfare on June 30.
On the same day, his empty vehicle — a white Isuzu D-MAX utility — was located in an area of dense scrubland on the unsealed Banker-Mount Day Road between Norseman and Hyden.
Goldfields-Esperance Police Inspector Mick Kelly said the search for Mr Edwards had been extensive, including a 500-metre radius of the located vehicle.
“We’ve utilised officers from Norseman, Eucla and Kambalda … we’ve utilised our drone capability,” he said.
Police said there had not been any activity on Mr Edwards’ bank accounts since May 16.
Inspector Kelly said the last activity on Mr Edwards’ phone account was on May 15, when he was in contact with his brother, and there were concerns for his mental health.
“Police hold grave concerns for his welfare,” Inspector Kelly said.
“At this stage, there’s nothing to suggest any criminality, but we are desperately seeking assistance from the public.”
Anyone who has information, or who may have seen Mr Edwards or his vehicle between May 16 and June 30, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.