Brett's brother, Michael Hall from Rongotea, said their family had been dealt a double blow this year, having lost his grandmother on his mother's side a few weeks ago.
It seemed that they were losing people in five-year intervals - first his father in 2001, then his eldest son in 2006, and now his brother and grandmother, he said.
With the year they have had, he said he wasn't even interested in Christmas this year.
He and a group of family and friends wanted to help the investigation by getting out and continuing to search but didn't know where to look, he said.
It was frustrating that things had pretty much come to a standstill, "until such time as - I may as well say it - his body is found", he said.
Brett's son had taken over the work on the house at Brett's property, finishing off parts of it so the timber framing was protected from the weather.
It was a difficult task for him with a young family to support and he himself had a spinal disease, which meant he could not help much, Michael said.
They couldn't take much more, he said.
"I just want the mongrel [who did this] to man up and come forward.
"The longer it goes on, the worse it is for us. We need some closure, we need him back so we can give him a decent burial."
Whanganui police Detective Senior Sergeant David Kirby said six staff continued to work on the investigation into Brett's disappearance.
There was no doubt in their minds that Brett had been the subject of foul play.
"We have a positive, committed team dedicated to getting some closure for the family around what has happened to Mr Hall," he said.
Any assistance the public could give on what happened to Mr Hall was still valuable and appreciated.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team direct on 0800 PITANGI, email Pitangi@police.govt.nz or text 0272 475843. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be made via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
