18-years-old Graham Vanstone, who lived in Akaroa, vanished and hasn't been seen since. Photo / Mike Scott
18-years-old Graham Vanstone, who lived in Akaroa, vanished and hasn't been seen since. Photo / Mike Scott
Eighteen years ago Graham Vanstone left his dad's house on Father's Day, and was never seen again.
The 49-year-old left his father Alan's house at around 5.20pm on September 5, 1999, wearing a white short-sleeved t-shirt and dark blue jeans, after spending time with family.
Once he arrived at his Akaroa home, he contacted his partner Maeve Allen.
She later told police she had been driving through Ashburton when she got the call at around 6.20pm.
He promised to have the jug on for her when she returned home.
According to information obtained under the Official Information Act (OIA), Canterbury is the most common place to go missing, making up 19 per cent of the country's total.
Nearly half of those go tramping in the region's beautiful mountain ranges and are never heard from again.
However, more often than not, the reason behind why a person goes missing remains a mystery - a third of all cases over the past 78 years are identified as 'unexplained'.
FROM FISH TO WINE
In the 1990s, Graham Vanstone was transitioning from being a successful fisherman to realising his dream of owning a 'lifestyle block with an income'.
After selling his quotas, he purchased a 5 acre property overlooking the village of Akaroa, 80km south east of Christchurch with the idea of starting a vineyard.
"He decided being wet and cold all the time was not the best idea for the second half of his life, so he sold his quota and invested money in other ventures," Dr Graeme Coles, the man who would take over the unfinished venture, said.
"He [Graham] got some vines planted and did all the work to start a vineyard on a steep site above a village."
However, Vanstone never got to taste the fruits of his labour, disappearing before his first vintage was picked.
His elderly father, Alan, initially took over managing the vineyard, before Coles - a crop and food scientist and Graham Vanstone's brother-in-law's cousin - took over production.
Both of Graham's sons also took on roles at the business, which produces a couple of hundred cases of wine a year.
The majority of his personal belongings were found at his Akaroa home - including his wallet, keys and car.
The cell phone he used to call Maeve Allen at 6.20pm was still sitting by his bedside.
In fact, the police struggled to confirm what he did take with him.
No one could provide police with a good inventory of his wardrobe, Hill said, so they couldn't even determine whether he left the house with shoes on.
"His relationship with his then-partner hadn't been going that long. Although he had a strong relationship with his family and father, not to the degree that someone could conclusively say he had nine pairs of shoes and one's missing," he said.
"No one wants to have a case that they've never brought to a natural conclusion. But, I'm also more than satisfied that the length police have taken to investigate this case has gone above and beyond," he said.
As for Vanstone's family, Hill said he is frustrated for them.
"They would like some closure into what happened to Graham. I suppose after all this time they still sit in a position where they wonder 'where is Graham?' to this day."
Vanstone's family declined to comment, as did his then-partner Allen.
Today, the father and son share a final resting place at the Akaroa Catholic Cemetery.
The gravestone reads: "In memory of Alan James Vanstone 21 March 1921 - 30 January 2003, much loved husband, father & grandfather."
His phone has not been used since May 21, nor has his bank account.
Within days, a detailed search and rescue operation ensued and a dive squad scoured waterways in the Halswell area.
Three properties were scene examined, including that of Christchurch Men's Prison guard and childhood friend, David Benbow - who police would say would be a 'person of interest'.
A team of more than 20 police staff searched the Kate Valley refuse centre over four weeks - where a considerable number of 'items of interest' have been found.
McGrath's twin brother, Simon, said family and friends are desperate to get him home.
"I wake up and I'm living a nightmare. I think something sinister has happened to him.
"I know something bad has happened. He's never walked off in his life. He's a good brother, good set of friends. He wasn't on the wrong side of the law. It's not something he would do."
Investigations into McGrath's disappearance are continuing.
Police have set up a dedicated phone line for people who have information regarding his whereabouts.
Anyone with information can call 0800 346 364 (0800 findmichael) or provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
YURI SANTANA
Yuri Santana. Photo / Supplied
It's been nearly a year since then-17-year-old Yuri Santana told his mother he was going for a walk.
On October 4, 2016 he left his home on Rangitata Huts Road in Clandeboye at about 10am, wearing light blue shorts and a light grey zip-up jacket with light green striped on the sleeves.
He was last seen on Badham Rd, near the intersection of Rangitata Island Road at 11.40am - and hasn't been seen or heard from since.
In the days following Santana's disappearance, search teams and a helicopter were used to explore the Rangitata River area.
The family, who also have a 7-year-old daughter, moved to New Zealand from Brazil nine years ago, and don't have other family here for support.
His mother, Rosy Santana, said the day her son left he was pretty much normal - he was a calm and quiet boy in general.
Santana's 18th birthday was in December - an occasion his family had to celebrate without him.
"I miss him so much," Rosy Santana said, "the fact there is no sign anywhere to find him is making me feel... I don't know even how to describe the feeling... Not having him around is making me suffer."
The investigation into the disappearance of Santana has been suspended pending any further information or lines of enquiry, police said.
Anyone who sees Yuri or has any information about his whereabouts is asked to call 111 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
BY THE NUMBERS
The following have been missing for a year or more as at May 2017:
