THE granddaughter of a Newnham man who disappeared in 1971 has raised further questions about his suspected death, after police located remains believed to belong to him late last month.
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Wilfred Pearson Procter was last seen wandering the streets 45 years ago.
His name was brought to police attention again earlier this month, after bones – including pieces of a human skull – were found on private property near the East Tamar Highway at Dilston in September.
While DNA testing is still being conducted to confirm the identity, Mr Procter’s English granddaughter Charlene Warren has called for answers.
“We as a family would like to have the conclusion of how Wilfred died for closure on the case to all family members involved,” she said from her home in Norwich, England.
“He was not a man to cut communication with the family so this disappearance at the time came as a massive shock to the whole family.”
Ms Warren said the watch found with the remains was a gift from her mother Maureen Warren and her uncle Tony to Mr Procter in 1965.
The engraving on the watch was how a Tasmanian was able to identify the remains earlier this month.
It read: “To dad love Maureen and Tony 1965”.
The family is now looking for photos of Mr Procter wearing the watch, to assist police in their investigation.
“Maureen has not seen her brother for over 25 years and would want nothing more than to give their father the remembrance he deserves and to be reunited with her Australian siblings,” Ms Warren said.
The family was alerted to the discovery of the remains via social media on October 5 – Maureen’s birthday.
They remain confident the case will be solved.
“The key now is to find out how Wilfred died and the story around his disappearance,” she said.
“It is very upsetting to have the case now open again having gone through the heartache 45 years ago.
“The UK family have not heard from the police and Maureen would be delighted to be reunited with the watch.”
Mr Procter left behind five grandchildren and siblings in Tasmania.
Anyone with information should contact Tasmania Police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 444 000.