Hall's family deserve answers

Enough is enough.

It's time for those people who can unlock the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Brett Hall to come forward to authorities.

History tells us they probably won't, of course - but history also tells us that, more often than not, the full story always come out, one way or another.

That may prove to be some form of solace for the family of Mr Hall, the members of which will right now be suffering through an ordeal that is thankfully rare in both its frequency, and its sharp, painful potency.

Mr Hall vanished in late May, having last been seen on his property off Pitangi Track, which leaves the Whanganui River Rd between Parikino and Atene.

Since then, efforts to uncover what happened to the 47-year-old have proved fruitless, and police are now treating the investigation as a homicide.

Mr Hall's brother spoke out earlier this week, pleading for those responsible to hand themselves in.

Even if those directly responsible for Mr Hall's disappearance are unwilling to take this step, there must be others who know what have happened to him, and are willing to do so. A guilty conscience carries a heavy weight, and over time, it can only be hoped that weight becomes so overbearing that those who can solve this mystery do the right thing.

During the course of the investigation, it was suggested Mr Hall's background was less than pristine - he had served time in prison on drugs and weapons charges. But at this point, aside from suggesting lines of possible inquiry into his disappearance and presumed death, Mr Hall's background is largely irrelevant.

What matters is that he was a brother, a son, a father and a grandad. His family need closure, and they need it urgently. Any sudden, untimely death is obviously an awful experience for those left behind, but not knowing must surely be worse.

Whatever sort of a life Mr Hall lead, he deserves a proper farewell, and his family deserve to know what happened to him and to be allowed to grieve in peace.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation should contact the investigation team on 0800 PITANGI, email Pitangi@police.govt.nz or text 0272 475 843. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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