Police in Melbourne have dramatically shifted their assessment of a long-standing missing person case, now strongly suspecting that Brendan Breen, who vanished nearly fourteen years ago, has likely met with foul play. This conclusion follows a comprehensive review of the investigation, which revealed that Mr. Breen has never accessed his bank accounts or mobile phone since his disappearance, and critically, he failed to attend his daughter's funeral in 2018—an act described by family as profoundly out of character.
A Disappearance Shrouded in Mystery
Brendan Breen, then aged 55, was last seen on April 12, 2012, in Melbourne. He was reported missing by his ex-partner, with whom he maintained amicable relations, almost a full month later. Initially, investigators leaned toward the theory that Mr. Breen had voluntarily chosen to disappear. However, a recent, thorough re-examination of the case has led detectives to a far more sinister hypothesis.
Critical Evidence Points to Foul Play
The pivotal factors prompting this reassessment were disclosed by authorities on Tuesday. Foremost among them is the complete absence of any financial or digital footprint from Mr. Breen since 2012. His bank accounts have lain dormant, and his phone has never been used. Compounding these concerns is the deeply troubling fact that he did not appear at his daughter's funeral six years after vanishing. Family members have consistently emphasised that this omission was utterly uncharacteristic, given the close bond he shared with his daughter.
Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan addressed the media, stating, "There are a number of aspects about his disappearance that continue to give us cause for concern, especially the length of time he has been missing with no trace whatsoever." He confirmed that all unsolved missing persons cases in Victoria undergo regular review, with Mr. Breen's file being scrutinised again last year.
A Complex Background and Ongoing Enquiries
Mr. Breen was known to police prior to his disappearance, having previously been charged with fraud offences and serving several years in prison. Adding complexity to the investigation, he was known to use several aliases, including Brendan Green, Brian Greer, and Brendan Lacombe.
Over the past fourteen years, investigators have interviewed a wide range of Mr. Breen's friends and associates in a persistent effort to uncover his whereabouts, identify any potential involvement in his disappearance, and understand possible motives for harm. Detective Inspector Dunstan noted, "We know he had a number of associates who were also known to police, and while they have been spoken to over the years, this remains an active avenue of enquiry for investigators."
A Plea for Public Assistance
Despite the passage of time, police remain hopeful that crucial information may still surface. "While 14 years have passed, we strongly believe there are still people out there who know what has happened to Brendan, who is involved and why this has happened," Det Insp Dunstan asserted. In a renewed bid for leads, authorities are re-releasing photographs of Brendan Breen, appealing to the public for any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, that could shed light on his fate.
The case underscores the enduring challenges of cold missing persons investigations and the profound impact on families left without answers. The Victoria Police continue to treat the disappearance of Brendan Breen as an active and urgent investigation, driven by the new belief that his vanishing act was not by choice.
