Police are imploring Otago's underworld community to assist in their investigation of a missing Central Otago man.
Last week, Southern District police issued a nationwide plea for information concerning Simon James Garrick (42), who is the subject of a homicide investigation.
As a result of publicity, police received eight possible sightings of Mr Garrick, who worked as a digger driver until the last confirmed sighting of him in Dunedin on October 30 last year.
Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw said police were working through each sighting, but most were ''reasonably historic''.
There had also been unconfirmed sightings from around the country of people fitting Mr Garrick's description. Police held a ''slim possibility'' that he might contact them following the publicity, but that had not happened.
Nor had police had any direct contact from the province's underworld community, and while they might be reluctant to contact police, ''we want that conversation with them''.
Mr Garrick was a regular visitor to Dunedin on weekends, when he would binge on drugs, including methamphetamine and Ritalin.
''He was very mobile and he came in contact with a lot of people. ''A lot of that contact was legitimate and some wasn't and if those people can assist us, then we are appealing to them.''
Anyone who held information on what happened to Mr Garrick should consider what it would be like if they had a loved one missing, Det Sgt Shaw said.
''Somebody must know where Simon is and what happened to him, and we again make that plea for them to come forward, and let us know what has happened to him.
''That information is held within the community, I am sure of it. If someone knows where he is and if he is deceased, then we would very much like to offer Simon the dignity of being reunited with his family.''
Anyone with information was urged to contact Detective Rob Hanna, of Dunedin, on 03 471-4800 or Det Sgt Shaw on 03 448-2500, or provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers, 0800-555-111.hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz
