Detectives investigating the murder of missing man Mark Manning have been searching a lake and surrounding area in Worthing on the first anniversary of his disappearance.
Mark, 54, of Brighton Road, was last seen on 19 April 2014 before his family reported him missing on 22 April. They said it was completely out of character for him to disappear.
Officers launched a murder investigation last June. A year on and despite extensive proof of life enquiries and searches, no one has reported hearing from or seeing Mark. His body has not been found.
DCI Mike Ashcroft of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said:
A year ago Mark Manning vanished. His disappearance was completely out of character.Despite being close to his family they have not heard from him at all. He hasn’t used his mobile phone, or carried out any financial transactions, hasn’t turned up for pre-arranged appointments and meetings and there has no been no reported sightings of him.
Following anonymous information to Crimestoppers that Mark has been murdered, we are today searching the lake and the grounds of Brooklands Pleasure Park in Worthing with the aim of finding Mark or to eliminate the area from our enquiry.After a year Mark’s family are desperate to hear any news of him and they need answers.
I am convinced that there are people in this community who know what has happened to Mark.We want to hear from anyone who may have seen Mark or has any information about what has happened to him. Please speak to police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.”
Specially trained officers using dogs have been searching the grounds of Brooklands Pleasure Park while a West Sussex Fire and Rescue crew have been searching the lake.
Mark was a former military bomb disposal expert, well travelled and worked for the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a charity that removes landmines and other dangers in some of the world’s poorest countries.
He is described as white, 5′ 9″, clean shaven, with a tanned complexion and of stocky build. He has blue eyes and is bald.
Anyone with information should ring 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Light or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.