More than 15 years have passed since Greek Australian grandfather Nick Falos (also known as Nikolaos Falieros) was last seen.
It was 8.30am on Friday, 14 March 2003 when the then 58-year-old left his Brunswick home to drive along Albion Street in his red 1985 Porsche coupe.
His car, with registration JD 944 was discovered three days later on 17 March, completely burnt out, in the Yarra State Forest at the intersection of Mt Beenak Road and Torbetts Road near Gladysdale.
Mr Falos’ other car, a brown 1975 Holden sedan was found parked at his home address.
A neighbour became concerned about his absence and reported him missing on 1 April, 2003. Police have been searching for him ever since.
Even though an extensive search was conducted in the bushland near Gladysdale where Falos’ car was found in May, 2003, no signs of the missing man were discovered.
Police have been coy regarding what prompted them the new push to seeing the case solved. They have not revealed whether they have any suspects at this point but they will be re-testing and reviewing physical evidence hopeful that advances in DNA technology over the past 15 years could lead to a break-through.
The case is being investigated by detectives from the Missing Persons Squad and being treated as suspected murder.
“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,” Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said earlier today.
“It is also our belief that a number of people were potentially involved in Nick’s murder.
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 and are reviewing a phone call that was made from a pay phone to Mr Falos’ mobile phone on the morning of Saturday, 15 March 2003.
“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,” DI Stamper added.
“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.”
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