Police have announced a $20,000 reward for information about the Christchurch man’s disappearance Richard Hinkley.
Hinkley, a 49-year-old beneficiary, last spoke to his uncle on Christmas Day in 2015. It was not until February 10 of the following year that his neighbor, Dion Lawrence, reported him missing.
On Friday, Detective Inspector Scott Anderson said police feared the circumstances of his disappearance were suspicious.
“Police have made extensive inquiries into Mr Richard Hinkley’s disappearance but have been unable to give his family a definitive answer as to what happened to him,” he said.
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“We have to keep an open mind, but it’s extremely strange that Richard just disappeared.”
Hinkley hadn’t contacted anyone for the past six years, and his bank accounts hadn’t been touched.
“Someone recognizes this man or knows where he is, and our goal is to give his family the closure they deserve after such a long time.”
The reward is paid for information or evidence leading to Hinkley’s location and/or the identity of a person or persons responsible for his disappearance.
The offer will remain in effect until January 31, 2023.
DELIVERED
Richard Hinkley went missing from his home in Christchurch on Christmas Day in 2015.
A report from Chief Coroner Deborah Marshall, released to: stuff earlier this year, investigated Hinkley’s mysterious disappearance.
Hinkley, who suffered from prolonged depression, chronic pain and suicidal thoughts, was involved in a serious accident in 2004 in which he suffered head injuries and spinal fractures.
He couldn’t remember whether he had crashed the car intentionally or accidentally, but had been driving about 120 km/h on a straight road.
Four years later, he was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. In October 2011, he visited his doctor and said he was “somewhat isolated” due to chronic pain and hypersensitivity.
His mother died a month later.
Scott Hammond / Stuff
Hinkley’s aunt, Jill Martin, says the family has no closure because they don’t know what happened.
Her death coincided with the onset of Hinkley’s financial troubles. He used a newly acquired credit card to pay for the funeral, and the following year began using it to withdraw money.
He eventually reached the $30,000 limit on his credit card. He had, among other things, spent large amounts on alcohol and cannabis. He regularly used eateries such as 0800 Hunger and no money was found in his house.
In November 2015, Hinkley contacted a budgeting agency to reluctantly seek help with insolvency.
On December 12, he made his last eftpos transaction with a dentist. He was told he needed $3,500 in treatment and sought help through the budgeting service.
The budget advisor last spoke to Hinkley on December 23, after the dentist said he wouldn’t be seen for treatment until the New Year.
POLICE
Hinkley’s house was clean and tidy when the police arrived seven weeks after his disappearance.
Hinkley seemed “strange” and offered him some drugs.
When police entered his home on February 10, 2016, they discovered that the back door was unlocked.
There was a laptop in the living room.
Nothing suspicious was found during the second search of the house on April 13.
Hinkley’s phone, laptop, keys and eftpos card were not there.
The coroner said there was “insufficient evidence” to decide how he died, but she was convinced he was dead “because of the long time since his disappearance, the fact that he has not touched his bank accounts or been in contact with him.” with family, and has not left the country”.
She said there were three possibilities for what happened to him: suicide, a fatal accident, or murder.
Hinkley’s aunt, Jill Martin, previously said the coroner’s ruling was “no surprise” as there was no evidence that he was alive, and she was sure he would not leave the country.
Dion Lawrence has reported Hinkley missing.
“I was pretty sure he was already dead, but I’d like to know what happened.
“That’s what keeps me going is that one day we may find out.”
Police previously declined to say how many people have been treated as persons of interest to their investigation in the past six years. Lawrence, who lived in a flat for Hinkley, told before stuff he was accused of killing him.
Lawrence said police knocked on his door in late 2017 and wanted to talk to him about Hinkley’s disappearance.
While his home was searched, officers took Lawrence to Christchurch’s Central Police Station where they interviewed him and accused him of murdering his former neighbor.
Police searched his flat for two days, dug up his yard and took items for forensic examination.
“[Police] I think I had a big fight with him, but it wasn’t really. Other people certainly did, I don’t know why they don’t investigate them.”
Lawrence said Hinkley was “a friendly guy, a little different,” but they were able to make up for it.
Anyone with information is requested to call the police on 105 and list 160210/8867 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.