Above: Glenn Birtwistle has not been seen since last Wednesday.By Rebecca Fraser
POLICE have launched a full-scale search following the mystery disappearance of a 16-year-old Narre Warren boy last week.
Glenn Birtwistle left his home about 7.45am last Wednesday to catch a bus to school. He has not been seen since.
The Berwick Secondary College student has not made contact with friends, family or his school and failed to turn up to two shifts at the local fish and chip shop where he works.
The schoolboy has no mobile phone, spare clothing or other personal items with him, and instead only his school bag and a small amount of money.
Police and his parents, Linda and John Birtwistle, described his disappearance as completely out of character.
Detective Andrew Smart of Narre Warren CIU said police held fears for the teenager’s welfare but he did not believe he had met with foul play, nor been abducted.
Yesterday (Wednesday) police conducted a search of the immediate area surrounding the teenager’s home, and paths he used to frequent to walk his dog or catch the bus.
Today, four mounted police were expected to start searching the Narre Warren and Narre Warren North area leading up to as far as Lysterfield Lake in the hope of finding clues.
A police helicopter was expected to be used in the search this afternoon along with police trail bikes.
Det Smart said the boy had a minor dispute with his parents the night before he went missing but police believed this had nothing to do with his disappearance.
He said his disappearance was odd, but police had not given up hope of finding him.
Mother Linda this week said they were at their wits ends with worry, and just wanted their son home safe.
Mrs Birtwistle said her son was a “good boy” who had never done anything like this before.
She said as far as she knew her son had good friends. She urged anyone that knew of his whereabouts to contact police.
“From all reports the crowd he mingles with is very good. He does not hang around with unsavoury types,” she said.
Mrs Birtwistle said she just wanted her son to contact someone and let them know he was alright.
“We love him very much. We just want to make sure he is ok,” she said.
Meanwhile, the family of an Endeavour Hills man missing almost 12 years have spoken of the pain and suffering they have endured trying to find answers to solve his disappearance.
Mark Jansen disappeared in November 1994 and his family is growing increasingly desperate for closure to what it has labeled a nightmare situation.
Mr Jansen’s family says it has been haunted by the unknown and now wants to know where he is after more than a decade of fruitless hunting and investigating by relatives and police.
Sister Paula Bunting, 40, and daughter Lichelle Jansen, 20, now of Tarneit, are leading a public appeal for information about Mr Jansen’s whereabouts as part of Missing Persons Week.
Anyone with information about Mark Jansen’s whereabouts should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information regarding Mr Birtwistle’s whereabouts can also contact Crime Stoppers or Detective Andrew Smart on 9705-3111.
