UPDATE: Barwon Local Area Command has released a CCTV image of missing Moree man William ‘John’ Torrens as the search for the 73-year-old continues a week after he first disappeared.
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Mr Torrens, who answers to ‘John’ or ‘Torro’, went missing from Moree’s Fairview Retirement Village at about 9.20am on Friday, January 5.
Barwon police have conducted extensive land, air and water searches in and around Moree utilising the Police Dog Unit, Police Rescue Drone, Barwon Trailbikes, SES Boat and Beats Police to try and locate Mr Torrens.
On Friday, January 12 – a week after Mr Torrens was last seen – Barwon LAC Inspector Martin Burke said local police have also been liaising with police across New South Wales and Queensland in regards to possible sightings of Mr Torrens.
“Police have received a number of enquiries from members of the public, or a number of possible sightings in regards to Mr Torrens,” Insp. Burke said.
“We do have an ongoing connection with Mr Torrens’ family who are being updated on sightings.
“We investigate all sightings whether they be local, in NSW, or interstate, we’re arranging for local police in those areas to follow up those leads.
“Unfortunately none of those leads have led to finding Mr Torrens.
“We continue to appeal to the community if they have any information to call Moree police or CrimeStoppers.”
Police have released the above CCTV image of Mr Torrens, where he can be seen wearing the clothing he is believed to be last wearing – a green short sleeve shirt, navy blue shorts, brown shoes with black socks and carrying a plastic bag.
Insp. Burke said if anyone sees Mr Torrens to contact police as soon as they can to report the location.
“Mr Torrens does suffer from a medical condition and that he may appear to be confused or something like that, that it’s not anything for the community to be alarmed with,” he said.
“He goes by the name ‘John’ or ‘Torro’ and will respond to that, so we just say that if anyone sights him just to contact police immediately and then we can get police there.”
Insp. Burke said the police’s primary focus is to find Mr Torrens safe and well.
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Mr Torrens please contact Moree Police Station on (02) 6757 0799.
EARLIER: Police from Barwon Local Area Command are still appealing for information from the public in regards to the disappearance of Moree man William ‘John’ Torrens.
As of Thursday afternoon there were still no updates on Mr Torrens’ whereabouts.
Barwon LAC Inspector Martin Burke said police have been conducting an extensive search.
“We’ve used a range of different resources and have had assistance from the SES with boats, police rescue with a drone, we’ve used trail bikes,” he said.
“We’re in constant contact with the family.”
Insp. Burke said while there have been reported sightings, none have led to finding Mr Torrens.
“We follow up on every potential sighting but none have located him unfortunately,” he said.
“Some were a case of mistaken identity. With every sighting we get we conduct a thorough investigation of that area.”
Mr Torrens, who answers to ‘John’ or ‘Torro’, has diabetes, dementia and a heart problem and with every day that passes and he isn’t found, Insp. Burke said there is great concern about whether he has access to his medication, food, water and shelter.
Anyone who may have seen Mr Torrens or has any information on his whereabouts should contact Moree Police Station on 6757 0799 or CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
WEDNESDAY: Concern for William ‘John’ Torrens intensifies across the region as the search for the missing 73-year-old continues into the sixth day.
As of Wednesday afternoon (January 10), there were no updates into the disappearance of Mr Torrens, who answers to ‘Torro’.
Enduring guardian Toni McCarthy said police had received a couple of sighting calls and were in the process of collecting CCTV footage from the location.
“If anyone out there is looking after him and may be too scared to come forward, please don’t worry there are no charges to be laid and nothing pending.
“You will not be in trouble for looking after Torro and all you have to do is call the police,” she said.
Mr Torrens has diabetes, dementia and a heart problem, so he may seem disorientated or drunk as a result of not taking his medication.
“Torro it's okay to get a taxi and we have two cartons waiting for you.
“Come home to Colly mate.”
Anyone who may have seen Mr Torrens or has any information on his whereabouts should contact Moree Police Station on 6757 0799.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON: The search for William Torrens continues into day five across the Moree Plains this morning.
His daughter, Renae Thornton, has pleaded to the wider community to ‘keep an eye out’ for her father.
“He is a true Aussie, he loves a beer. I really just hope he is spotted in a pub, club or caravan park with a bar.
“He used to take me to the Tamworth Country Music Festival all the time so he might be trying to head there.
“He loves country music, he has a little shuffle in his walk and he wears glasses.”
Barwon Local Area Command have been conducting extensive searches of the immediate area and urge anyone in the region who may have information to contact the station on 6757 0799.
As for Ms Thornton, her only word to describe her current state was “lost”.
“I’m confused, disorientated, heart broken, devastated; all I want is for my Dad to be found,” she said.
TUESDAY MORNING: Family and friends of William ‘John’ Torrens are extremely worried for his health as day five since his disappearance begins.
According to enduring guardian Toni McCarthy, William also known as Torro, walked out of Fairview around 9.20am on Friday and simply did not return.
“I received a call just after 4pm from staff asking if he was with me because he hadn’t returned for his two afternoon beers,” she said.
Police were contacted and a missing persons alert was issued. Ms McCarthy said Mr Torrens takes up to 10 different tablets per day for his medical conditions.
“He has diabetes, dementia and a heart problem. If someone was to come across him, he would seem disorientated or maybe drunk.
“If you do see him, just say ‘Torro, sit down. I’ll call you an ambulance’ and he will. John is not aggressive so don’t be scared of him,” she said.
Ms McCarthy commended local police for their swift action and search efforts so far.
“We really need to spread the word, he could even be in Brisbane,” she said.
MONDAY: A Moree man remains missing since Friday.
Police are calling on the community to help locate William "John" Torrens.
He was last seen about 9.20am on Friday at a Moree nursing home.
He may frequented the Collarenebri, Moree or Deepwater areas.
He was last seen wearing a green short-sleeved shirt, navy blue shorts, brown shoes with black socks and carrying a plastic bag.
Mr Torrens goes by the names of John or Torro.
Anyone with information should contact Moree police station (02) 6757 0799.
FRIDAY: POLICE are urging anyone with information on a missing Moree man to come forward.
William John Torrens, known as Toro, has been missing since Friday morning.
He has a heart condition and is a diabetic.
His enduring guardian told The Moree Champion that he may appear drunk or disoriented, so call an ambulance if you see him.
Anyone who may have seen Mr Torrens or has any information on his whereabouts should contact Moree police station on 6757 0799.