KEY POINTS:
Police say they are now treating the disappearance of a missing Feilding shearer as a homicide.
Bevan William Wright, 43, disappeared in January and Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann said today he believed they were now looking for a body but how he died was unknown.
Mr Wright was last seen leaving his sister's home in Feilding on January 9. He was not reported missing until February 7.
Mr Bensemann said around 20 staff were still involved in the investigation and police were looking at re-visiting the riverbank area near Aorangi bridge which was searched last month.
"We're still continuing to speak to friends and family members and a lot of people in the Feilding community, trying to jog their memory."
Mr Bensemann said family had not reported Mr Wright missing sooner as it was not out of character for him to disappear for weeks on end.
"He has been known to wander off and do transient employment from time to time," he said.
Police were also seeking information about the movements of a red 1986 Toyota Corolla five-door hatchback in Feilding or wider Manawatu area.
"The longer this goes on the more concerns we have," he said.
- NZPA
