Batemans Bay police are investigating the disappearance of a Queanbeyan man who was last sighted in Catalina, working on his unit block on Golf Links Drive.
Radosav Stanisavljevic has been missing since March.
It took five weeks for the 74-year-old’s family to report him as missing and Detective Cory Ware said police held grave concerns for his safety.
“We’ve made a number of inquiries across the State,” Det Ware said.
“The best we can figure is that he’s come over to do some work on the units and then disappeared ... he was last seen by a neighbour.”
According to Det Ware it was not uncommon for men like Mr Stanisavljevic to disappear for periods at a time.
“I don’t think it’s anything out of the ordinary for these older Serbian blokes,” he said.
“From what his family tell us, there are a couple of country locations in western NSW that he liked to visit.”
Inquiries into his background, finances, immigration status and health failed to uncover any leads.
Det Ware said Mr Stanisavljevic’s bank accounts remained untouched, which set off some alarm bells.
He also said there was no history of any type of mental illness.
“We’re thinking there is a possibility that he may have come off the road between here and Canberra and are considering doing a flyover to check,” Det Ware said.
“Normally we would know about any accident along there straight away, but parts of the road drop away rather quickly, so it’s possible.”
Mr Stanisavljevic has a heavy accent and drives a cream Ford Econovan.
“He’s retired, so his time is basically his own. The units have been part-complete for years now,” Det Ware said.
“He comes down and cuts the grass and does a few odds and ends.”
Mrs Stanisavljevic, who is ill, has been unable to provide police with concrete details.
The couple has two daughters, one with a home in the ACT and the other, who reported him missing, living in Queensland.
“At this stage there is no evidence to suggest foul play but we’re looking for anybody who may have seen him or who knows him,” Det Ware said.
“We think he might have had some friends in the area but his family haven’t been able to provide us with any names.”