Missing millionaire was top Brierley exec

Missing Australian man, former Brierley chief financial officer Herman Rockefeller. Photo / Victoria Police

The businessman at the centre of a missing person mystery in Australia is the former chief financial officer of Brierley Investments, based in New Zealand.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Herman Rockefeller failed to arrive at his Melbourne home, following a four day inter-state business trip, last Thursday night.

Described as a millionaire property developer by Australian media, Rockefeller played a prominent role in the April 1998 boardroom coup that forced the departure of Brierley's chief executive, Paul Collins, and chairman, Bob Matthew.

In 2000 Rockefeller left Brierley Investments when the company's relocation to Singapore saw a major restructuring of roles. He had been the investment company's CFO for eight years.

The New Zealand Herald reported in 2003 that he was the buyer of a six-level office block in Petone for $3.5 million.

Rockefeller was also a director of listed biotech company Genesis Research.

In May 2003 the New Zealand Herald reported that he was part of a corporate team that completed a non-stop 100km walking event in Melbourne.

"There is nothing to indicate he has been a victim of foul play," Detective Senior Constable Peter Towner told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"He hasn't been involved in any accident, he hasn't had access to any of his bank accounts, his phone is not operating. He is healthy, [with] a family, he doesn't drink."

The missing man's wife, Vicky Rockefeller, told ABC Radio that the disappearance was "completely and utterly out of character".

"I can't speculate on anything but anything is possible. [Kidnapping] is a possibility," she said.

Police think the 51-year-old picked up his car, a 2007 Blue Toyota Prius, and left but he has not been in touch with his family since.

Detective Sergeant John Rose told ABC news Rockefeller's disappearance was out of character.

"He's collected his vehicle and he was last believed to been leaving the car park," he said.

Rockefeller and his brother Robert own property in Tasmania, said the ABC.

Robert Rockefeller says the family had no idea whether he may have been targeted because of his successful property dealings.

"Everything is open to speculation and we are baffled. We have no idea," he said.