Search for body of Adrian Romeo under way at rural property in Victoria

Homicide squad detectives have launched a major search at a property in rural Victoria after police revealed they feared a missing man was now dead.

Adrian Romeo was last seen on February 10 when he told his parents he was going to visit some friends in Greenvale.

The 43-year-old left the Craigieburn home in a gold 2004 Toyota Camry sedan and police believe he met with friends in Greenvale.

Mr Romeo has not been seen since and his phone and bank cards remain unused.

On Tuesday morning, police searched a property on Wildwood Rd in Wildwood in Victoria’s northwest following a public appeal for answers.

More than 100 emergency service workers, including the SES and cadaver dogs, were reportedly involved in the search.

Homicide squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said Mr Romeo’s disappearance was “extremely out of character” and he suspected Mr Romeo had been murdered.

“There is nothing in Adrian’s history that helps to explain why he has gone missing,” he said.

“I’m of the view he is now deceased.”

Inspector Thomas said police had not gleaned any information to suggest Mr Romeo’s disappearance occurred of his own accord or was related to organised crime.

Inspector Thomas also noted there was “nothing to suggest anyone would want him harmed” or that “he needed to leave”.

Inspector Thomas urged everyone to check their streets for a gold 2004 Camry, suggesting the car Mr Romeo was last seen in could have been dumped or sold.

With Mr Romeo’s brothers and father too distraught to front media, his cousin Charlie answered questions on their behalf following a fresh bid for information by police.

“We do believe there has been foul play … There’s always hope, but it doesn’t look good,” he said on Sunday.

“I just don’t understand how anybody could harm him. He’s just a nice bloke,”

Charlie said his cousin was a “calm person” who wouldn’t harm anybody.

Police said a significant canvas of CCTV was undertaken following Mr Romeo’s disappearance and his friends had been spoken to by police.

Anyone with any other information regarding his disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.