Police suspend search for Brett Hall

Police have suspended the search for Brett Hall today amid growing confidence his disappearance was the result of a homicide. Photo / supplied

The hunt for missing Palmerston North man Brett Hall has become a homicide investigation.

Mr Hall, 47, was last seen at his isolated lifestyle block nearly two weeks ago.

An air force Iroquois helicopter and up to 80 police, army staff and volunteers searched 20km of rough country for him over the weekend.

Police suspended that search today amid growing confidence his disappearance was the result of a homicide.

Detective Senior Sergeant David Kirby said the 12 day search would have revealed evidence of Mr Hall if he was not the victim of foul play.

"There were concerns early in the operation that something more sinister might be at play and the absence of any information from the searches has just reinforced that view. Our belief is that Mr Hall is the victim of homicide and something like that doesn't just happen in a vacuum."

Mr Hall had previously been jailed for drugs and firearms offences.

Homicide investigators were called in to investigate his disappearance on June 7.

Police would use a network of "friends and associates" to shed light on who had carried out the alleged homicide, Mr Kirby said.

"My message to those people is 'don't wait for us to find you'. Mr Hall has a mother, a brother and a son who are in limbo - they need to know where Mr Hall is."

Mr Kirby appealed for the drivers of a white flat deck ute and a red ute and trailer seen on the Pitangi track on the afternoon and evening of Mr Hall's disappearance to come forward.

Information on the investigation can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

- HERALD ONLINE