Retailers could help to trace missing man

Police have appealed to retailers for help in tracing missing man Brett Hall's movements before his disappearance. Photo / supplied

As the hunt widens for missing Palmerston North man Brett Hall, police have appealed to retailers for help in tracing his movements before his disappearance.

Mr Hall, 47, was last seen on May 29 at his isolated lifestyle block, 30km north of Wanganui, and reported missing two days later. Police are now treating his disappearance as a homicide.

His mother Lee Hall yesterday appealed for help in finding her son, who police said had a "chequered past".

It was reported today Mr Hall had been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years jail for drug dealing and receiving and unlawful possession of a pistol.

He was paroled in October 2009 and two days after his disappearance the Corrections department applied to have him recalled to jail.

Today police said they were keen to hear from retailers and shop assistants who may have served Mr Hall in the week leading up to his disappearance.

"We have received a small number of calls since we started appealing for information, and three of those calls have been from retailers," Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Kirby said today.

"The information they are providing is helping us to piece together his movements before he went missing and we are keen to receive more calls of that nature.

"Our main focus is on the week beginning Monday, May 23. It is likely he made purchases in Palmerston North on the Tuesday and Wanganui on the Wednesday."

Mr Kirby renewed his plea for friends and associates of Mr Hall who had contact with him or had been to his property in recent months to come forward.

He said that any information police received would be treated in the strictest of confidence.

While a team of about 30 detectives continue background inquiries and a canvass of people living in the area, ground searches are also continuing.

Searches were carried out today along the sides of the Whanganui River Road looking for any items or signs that might indicate Mr Hall's location.

Anyone with information should contact Wanganui police or alternatively information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

- NZPA