PINDIMAR man Allan Bentley disappeared on April 27 last year.

For more than 12 months his friends and family have been left wondering what became of him.

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He disappeared without a trace and this week police made a new appeal for information about Mr Bentley’s disappearance.

Bentley, aged 63, was last seen leaving his home on Pindimar Road on the morning of 27 April 2021.

Two days later a close friend reported him missing.

He never came home and his sister Patricia Day fears foul play, because Mr Bentley had pending appointments.

CCTV footage confirmed Alan was last seen leaving his home on Pindimar Road at about 7:30am on the morning of his disappearance.

An extensive search, employing specialist resources, found no trace of Allan.

His sister, Patricia Day, told News Of The Area the hardest part was “just not knowing” what happened.

“I’m sure he hasn’t gone missing, it’s either foul play or self-harm, he wouldn’t just go walkabout,” she said.

“He wouldn’t have had any money, and if he ever needed anything like that, he would have come to me.

“It’s hard for everybody that has missing people – it’s just not knowing, you’d be better to know one way or the other.”

Port Stephens-Hunter Police District Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Gerard Lawson, said that while Allan lived somewhat of a reclusive lifestyle, his disappearance was out of character.

“We’ve established that he rarely left the Tea Gardens area where he lived and worked locally for cash-in-hand payments to make ends meet, ” Acting Superintendent Lawson said.

“He had very little money, had no known enemies and was well liked, and his unit was left in a state which implied to investigators he had planned on returning home.”

A crucial missing piece of the mystery is the van Mr Bentley was believed to have been driving, which has never turned up.

The white-coloured Holden combo van had NSW registration plates – UQG 146 – and the word ‘catering’ written on the side.

“Mr Bentley has no bank accounts or other assets investigators can utilise aside from his vehicle – which has never been located nor has its registration been renewed,” Acting Superintendent Lawson said.

“His disappearance has left his family and associates longing for answers, and we hope this appeal spurs the flow of new information into where he may be,” Acting Superintendent Lawson said.

Despite being a quiet man, who lived off the grid, Mr Bentley’s brother Roy says that Allan was well-known and liked in the area.

Roy, like many relatives of missing persons, just wants an answer.

“We just want closure, to find out what happened,” he said.

As part of the appeal for information, Bentley’s family will give DNA samples that can be used to make links with missing persons cases.

“Missing persons cases are never closed,” Acting Superintendent Lawson said,

“Until we can answer that question for the family on whether they’re safe or whether tragic circumstances have occurred, these cases will always be open.”

General Manager of Hexham Bowling Club, Jennie Crowe, says that Allan frequented the Club, and was well-liked as the president of the Hexham Greys Social Bowlers.

“At the time of his disappearance, he was due to play in the finals of the singles club championship, a prestigious bowling accomplishment.

“On the last day we saw Allan he said he felt unwell and wasn’t seen or heard from again.

Ms Crowe said Allan also had a green thumb and was generous.

“He had a green thumb and often brought in tomatoes, cucumbers, and whatever else was in season.

“He had a license to collect bush orchids and was often on the hunt in the bush near his home,” she said.

Allan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180 centimetres tall, of medium build, with a beard and short brown and grey hair.

As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information about Mr Bentley’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers.

By Tara CAMPBELL