The family of an Owen Sound man missing for two weeks is offering a reward for information that leads them to him.
http://liarcatchers.com/missing_persons_investigations.html
Annette Slade, the sister of David Billings, said Friday that the family is getting desperate for information about her brother. Billings went missing Jan 6.
“The family has $2,000 scraped together as a reward for any information that leads to my brother,” Slade said Friday. “This is two weeks today and everybody’s getting pretty desperate for answers.”
The family decided to post a reward because they have heard nothing of Billings’ whereabouts.
“If somebody is harbouring him or something like that, maybe this will entice them to open their mouths,” said Slade. “I still don’t feel that he is dead. I would just like to know where he is, and if he is hiding out with somebody somewhere maybe this money will just be enticing enough to have them come forward.”
Slade said the information provided has to lead them to her brother.
“Your lead has to lead us to my brother in order for you to receive the reward money. That’s what the money is for. It is to find him so we know he is there and safe,” said Slade.
The 42-year-old Billings was last seen by family and friends on the morning of Jan. 6. He is described as five-foot-eight inches tall and 170 pounds with brown hair, a goatee and hazel eyes. At the time police said he was probably driving a four-door 2007 orange Toyota Yaris with the Ontario licence plate BAWW 179.
Slade said the family is trying to deal with the situation as best they can.
“We are all getting counselling so we can cope,” said Slade. “It’s really pushing the envelope with us too here.”
Slade said family and friends continue to drive around looking for signs of Billings. The family and friends have also contacted various media outlets and have been on social networking sites asking people to be on the lookout for Billings. Posters have been put up around the city as well.
“There’s nothing else we can really do,” said Slade. “It’s a large area. I don’t even know where to begin anymore.”
Slade said she has been in contact with friends and family everywhere she can think of, including Barrie, Kitchener, London and even in the U.S.
Slade said she doesn’t know if Billings is on his medication and could be depressed. Her mom died 4 1/2 years ago and since that happened Billings has been known to watch the airplanes take off and land at the Toronto airport. She said her father died on Nov. 3 and Billings has struggled with that.
“I really don’t know what frame of mind he is in,” said Slade. “I don’t believe he would hurt himself. That has never been a question in my mind.”
Slade said the message to Billings is that they just want him to call them to let them know he is OK.
“We’re here to help him if he needs it,” said Slade.
Insp. Vince Wurfel said Owen Sound police continue to get occasional tips about Billings.
“None have solidified as being legitimate sightings,” said Wurfel. “We’ve pretty much exhausted most of our investigative functions in regards to [a] missing person without really having an area to focus on. There is a vehicle involved as well so we can’t really get into random ground searches at this point.”
Wurfel said it is rather unusual that police have received no information about Billings since he was reported missing two weeks ago.
“In most cases they have turned up and it has been a happy ending, but I don’t want to assume anything,” said Wurfel. “We have to consider all possibilities.”
Owen Sound police ask anyone who has seen Billings or his car to call them at 519-376-1234
