Family reject speculation man's death was faked

The family of a Queenstown man who disappeared more than a year ago have joined police in rejecting media speculation that he faked his own death.

Millbrook general manager David Onions and Detective Sergeant Grahme Bartlett, of Queenstown, were commenting on a report about Matthew Alexander Hamill, 60, in the Herald on Sunday yesterday.

Mr Hamill worked as the food and beverage purchase manager at the resort near Arrowtown for 2 years, before he disappeared in the Kawarau Gorge, between Queenstown and Cromwell, on October 29, 2008.

Mr Onions said there was "absolutely nothing" to suggest Mr Hamill was alive.

"From a hotel point of view it was a very distressing time and I spoke to a family spokesman after being contacted by the [newspaper].

"The family consider Matthew missing presumed dead and they don't want to reopen the whole matter. The conjecture seems to be because no body was found, but the reality is they don't always appear."

Mr Bartlett described the suggestion Mr Hamill had faked his own death as "poor taste". He had been dealing with calls from distraught relatives yesterday.

"There's nothing that's been suggested by the police Mr Hamill faked his death.

"Unfortunately a faction of the media put a spin which is distressing to the large family throughout the country."

Mr Hamill's case was one of eight inquests set down for the coroner next month. Police could not confirm to the coroner that death occurred because no body had been found.

"We haven't reopened any file because it's never been closed."

Mr Bartlett said police had exhausted all avenues and sought information from the public on December 21. No members of the public had since contacted police.

Mr Hamill's silver Mitsubishi Diamante sedan, registration BTF577, was found unlocked at the Roaring Meg power station lookout. A note in the car indicated he planned to take his own life and some of his personal items were found by the riverbank.

But his body was not recovered despite an extensive river and aerial search.

There had been no sightings of Mr Hamill since he was last spotted at a Frankton business on October 28, 2008, wearing a yellow jacket, sunglasses, dark brown trousers, cream-coloured jersey and black shoes.

There had been no activity in his bank accounts since the time of his disappearance.

Mr Hamill was born in Northern Ireland and had a tattoo of a black and green turtle on his right shoulder.

Mr Onions said Mr Hamill left Northern Ireland at a young age and was well-travelled, including spending time in Canada.

Mr Hamill was "well-educated and quite eloquent, but a shy man who kept to himself".

There had been no indication in the days leading up to the disappearance that Mr Hamill would vanish.

Mr Hamill was survived by several children from more than two partners.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES