Over 15 years after he was last seen, police are renewing their appeal for information about missing Brunswick man Nick Falos. (You can also hear the interview of Detective Sergeant Angela Hantsis, in Greek, by pressing the play button in the picture)
Over 15 years after he was last seen, police are renewing their appeal for information about missing Brunswick man Nick Falos.
Nick was last seen at 8.30am on Friday, 14 March 2003 as he drove his car along Albion Street in Brunswick.
At the time of his disappearance, Nick was 58-years-old. He also goes by the name Nikolaos Falieros.
His red 1985 Porsche coupe with registration JD 944 was discovered burnt out in the Yarra State Forest at the intersection of Mt Beenak Road and Torbetts Road near Gladysdale three days later on 17 March.
Nick was also known to drive a brown 1975 Holden sedan, however this vehicle was found parked at his home address.
A neighbour became concerned after they hadn’t seen Nick for several weeks and reported him missing on 1 April, 2003.
Police conducted an extensive search of bushland near Gladysdale on 16 May, 2003 but were unable to locate the missing man.
Nick’s disappearance is considered suspicious and is being investigated by detectives from the Missing Persons Squad.
Investigators believe a phone call was made from a pay phone to Nick on the morning of Saturday, 15 March 2003.
Police also received separate information from a number of sources around the time of his disappearance about cannabis cultivation in the Yarra State Park and Yarra Junction areas.
Investigators are still looking into whether this is connected to Nick’s disappearance.
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said that while Nick is no longer believed to be alive, police are still hopeful of finding out what happened to him.
“While it has been 15 years since he disappeared, we know there are people out there in the community who will have full knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Nick’s disappearance,” he said.
“It is also our belief that a number of people were potentially involved in Nick’s murder.
“Circumstances change; people may move in different circles, have new friends or partners and information they may not have felt comfortable providing 15 years ago, they can now speak more freely to police about.
“We certainly believe there are a number of people who are in a position to assist us with this investigation.
“We’re also keen to speak to anyone who recalls seeing Nick or his red Porsche in the Yarra Junction area on 15 or 16 March, 2003.
“It doesn’t matter how insignificant you think the piece of information is, it could be exactly what our investigators need to make a breakthrough in this case.”
Missing Persons Squad regularly reviews cases held within the unit.
Detectives are also re-testing a number of physical exhibits from this case in the hope that advances in DNA technology over the past 15 years could lead to a break-through.
Investigators have released a number of new photos of Nick, along with an image of a vehicle similar to his red Porsche, in the hope someone will remember seeing him or the car and be able to provide police with information.
Consideration for indemnity for prosecution can also be made in the appropriate circumstances.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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