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POLICE HOLD grave fears for a missing Brisbane man, whose abandoned car has been found near Byron Bay in northern New South Wales.
Officers said childcare worker Samuel Thompson, 22, was last seen leaving his apartment at Albion in Brisbane’s north on March 7.
Mr Thompson’s disappearance was out of character and they held grave fears for his safety, police said.
Detectives said Mr Thompson was close to his family and in good health when he was last seen.
Yesterday, his distinctive orange Ford Mustang was found with the windows wound down near Byron Bay on the New South Wales far north coast.
Detective Inspector Tim Tresize said Mr Thompson was assaulted by masked men last September when his car was stolen, but later recovered.
“We don’t know whether that incident is at all linked to his current disappearance, but obviously we’re looking at all possible avenues of inquiry,” he said.
Inspector Tresize said there was no signs of disturbance at Mr Thompson’s apartment.
“He was seen leaving the apartment by himself at 9:30 on Tuesday morning,” he said.
“He was by himself and appeared in good health and spirits.”
He said police were tracing phone calls and checking emails and social media conversations after Mr Thompson’s sudden disappearance.