Seven days have passed since Raumati Beach local and family man, Joe Pryor, was reported missing on Friday 26 November. The search for Joe by the police and the local community continues, as his whereabouts since last Friday remain unclear.
“We honestly thought dad would be home by now, so it’s hitting a bit too close to home now,” says Mr Pryor’s daughter, Shannon Barclay.
Shannon says her dad’s disappearance is out of character for him, as he is a stickler for routines, a homebody, and doesn’t often leave his workplace during work hours.
While there have been no sightings of Mr Pryor confirmed by physical evidence, there have been potential sightings in Cambridge, Waikato.
His last confirmed sighting was at 8.45am on Friday on Elizabeth Street, Waikanae, that police have regarded as a credible sighting. Shortly beforehand, Mr Pryor was spotted on CCTV footage from the Waikanae Chartered Club at 8.22am wearing blue overalls, and his Travel Marvel backpack.
Mr Pryor’s family say the local community have shown their support in the masses, with hundreds of people across the Wellington region coming together to search in Waikanae, the location where he was last seen.
The Facebook group by the name of ‘Bring Joe Pryor home,’ has amassed over 7,400 followers, where Mr Pryor’s family share the latest updates of the community’s search.
The family have organised drones with thermal imaging to search for Mr Pryor, as well as two helicopters that have scoped the Waikanae area. The community response has covered most of the local township, from Waikanae estuary all the way into Reikorangi, and a large majority of the roads, streams, and rivers in the area.
The community search is now taking place near Ngarara Road, where Mr Pryor was potentially last sighted at 11.30pm on Saturday evening.
The search, formerly operating from Omahi St, Waikanae, has now relocated to the old Plunket rooms at 3 Seddon Street, Waikanae.
Police and Land Search and Rescue have predominately been focusing their search in the Reikorangi area, which is in the direction where Mr Pryor was last sighted on Elizabeth Street.
The Police National Dive Squad have searched Devil’s Elbow, with no result, and police have also noted they will take sniffer dogs to search the Kapakapanui track.
ABOUT JOE PRYOR:
Mr Pryor is 63 years old, 5’10” tall, has grey hair, a thin build, and blue eyes.
IF YOU SEE JOE PRYOR: The family requests that you do the following:
- Take a photo so the family and the police can identify him
- Call 111 and quote the case number 211127/1938
- Monitor him until the police arrive
For more information contact:
Shannon Barclay | e: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1041252416658271
