Police searching for missing Kelvedon man Chris May have said they no longer expect to find him alive and are treating the case as a murder investigation.
DCI Marina Ericson, who has been leading the search for the 28-year-old, made the announcement on the first anniversary of Mr May’s disappearance.
He was last seen at his father’s home address in Coggeshall in the morning of May 25 and his car was later found abandoned in Troy’s Chase, Fairstead.
DCI Ericson, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, believes Chris’ links to drugs may hold the key to who has killed him and why.
She said: “Chris May had been using drugs and was known to be dealing substances locally including ecstasy, cocaine and mephadrone also known as dolly.
“There is a strong likelihood that Chris’ involvement with drugs is linked to his death.
“Today I am releasing a timeline of Chris’ last moments as we know them along with images captured on CCTV of his journey in his silver Volkswagen Golf before it was found abandoned.
“There are a number of questions I still need to answer and I am appealing for the public’s help to get that information. How was he killed? Where? Who by? And where is his body?”
Mr May’s family remain desperate for answers to find out why a loving son, brother and uncle would meet an untimely death.
Since Essex Police appealed for information surrounding Chris’ disappearance four letters have been sent by anonymous authors claiming to know information about his whereabouts and what happened to him.
Officers have proven two of the letters to be hoaxes and have previously mentioned the first letter which suggested Chris had come to harm. This letter was received at Witham police station on June 1.
A further letter was received on June 24, 2015, saying Chris was alive. It suggested the first letter was a hoax and that Chris was laying low because he owed money.
DCI Ericson said: “I am appealing for the person who wrote either of these letters, or anyone with knowledge as to who wrote them, to contact me or my team. We continue to investigate these two letters as it is my belief that the author or authors have knowledge of Chris’ death.
“Chris was a loving son, brother and uncle whose disappearance has left a huge hole in his family. They have been without answers for the last year and I am determined to do as much as I possibly can to bring closure to them and find out what happened to him.
“To lose a loved one in any circumstances is difficult but to have so many unanswered questions for so long is a heart-breaking position to be in and one I hope someone will be able to help me rectify for his family.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team on 101 or email scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk
People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via an anonymous reporting form at crimestoppers-uk.org
Any information you provide cannot be traced back to you and you will not be asked to attend court.
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