New twist in Rockefeller disappearance

Herman Rockefeller

Police investigating the disappearance of millionaire businessman Herman Rockefeller said he "may have met with foul play".

Police said at a press conference this morning that their inquiry may be lengthy, ABC local radio reported.

Two people were earlier taken away for questioning and detectives are now treating the case as a potential homicide.

The pair were yesterday taken by police from a townhouse in South Street, Hadfield, in Melbourne's north, neighbours told The Age.

Detectives and forensic experts reportedly searched the townhouse last night for any evidence Mr Rockefeller had been there, while officers questioned neighbours.

The paper reported this morning that detectives had received information indicating Rockefeller may be the victim of foul play. The case has shifted from a missing person's case to a potential homicide investigation in the past 24 hours.

Rockefeller went missing soon after arriving at Melbourne Airport from an interstate business trip on the night of January 21.

He has not been officially sighted since, although police are investigating a rash of reported sightings, including one at a general store at Gordon, about 10km from the remote location at Ballan where his car was found on January 25.