Frank McKeever, from Islington, has been missing since September 2021
(Picture: Met Police)The family of a “cheerful and gentle” north London man who vanished without a trace have appealed for help finding him one year on from his disappearance.
Frank McKeever, from Islington, went missing on August 28 last year, and police are now treating his disappearance as a murder enquiry, fearing he has come to “serious harm”.
Following a huge probe that has involved three arrests and diving teams searching waterways, police are no closer to establishing what happened to the 63-year-old.
Marking a year since he disappeared, Frank’s siblings say they are “desperate” for information, and urge anyone who can help the investigation to come forward.
They recall how Frank seemed “happy and positive about the future” before he went missing, and had been about to celebrate his birthday.
“Our family had lost touch with him for some years, but we were so happy to re-connect with him last summer and were looking forward to being with him again to rebuild family ties,” said the siblings.
“He seemed happy and positive about the future and he had remained loyal to his favourite football team Birmingham City.
“We really miss his cheerful and gentle personality and his sense of humour. He had a zest for life and loved chatting to people and was no doubt looking forward to celebrating his birthday on the 31st August and the bank holiday weekend.
“Sadly, he has now disappeared without trace and we are desperate for any news.
“We are very worried for his welfare and safety and will give help and support for anything he needs. If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Missing People charity, or the police.”
Scotland Yard has also issued a fresh appeal for help finding Frank and is offering a £20,000 reward for information.
Frank was last seen at around 10pm on Saturday, August 28, 2021, walking along Highbury Park, close to the junction of Highbury Grange.
He was reported missing 12 days later, on September 9. He has not been seen or heard from since.
Frank was last seen wearing a black bomber jacket, black top, dark trousers and black shoes.
Detectives from the Specialist Crime team believe he has come to “serious harm”.
Police have carried out a major investigation, including searching lakes, canals, buildings and open spaces, but have been unable to find any trace of him.
Three people have been arrested during the investigation.
A 30-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder on September 28 last year, following by a 46-year-old man on October 10. On December 7, a woman aged 45 was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
All three have been released under investigation.
The Met is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the location of Frank, who is from the N1 area of Islington but would also visit the Hackney area.
Detectives have also released CCTV showing some of his last movements, in the hope it will help the public recall the events leading up to his disappearance.
Detective Inspector Laura Nelson, Specialist Crime, said: “Frank has now been missing for a year and in all that time there has been no trace of him.
“He has not used his phone or his bank account, his disappearance is very out of character and this leads me to believe that this is now a murder investigation.
“The substantial reward being offered to find Frank shows our determination to find him and answer the questions about his disappearance. I am asking the public in turn to support us and tell us anything they know that might help us discover what has happened to Frank.
“No piece of information is too small; please make contact and tell us what you know, it could make you eligible for a substantial reward.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote ref CAD 3224/13Nov21.
