House search police fail to find Karl Hotchkiss' body
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Police at the scene of
the house search. Picture: Nick Johnson
Detectives investigating the
disappearance of missing dad Karl Hotchkiss have finished
excavating a house and garden in Gravesend but say no body has been
found.
Mr Hotchkiss, known as
Bert, was just 24 when he was last seen on Sunday, April 11, 1993.
Sixteen years on, and the missing person search has
become a potential murder inquiry.
Police today completed a search of the property
in Jubilee Crescent which started last Tuesday.
The officer in charge of the operation, Det Ch Insp Dave Withers,
said: "The search of the house and garden has been completed and no
body has been found.
"However, a number of items of interest have been discovered and
are undergoing forensic examination.
"I'm unable to give further details of what these items are
other than to say I'm satisfied the work carried out has progressed
the investigation."
Det Ch Insp Withers thanked local residents for their patience
while the search was carried out. He said 70 Jubilee Crescent would
be returned to the control of the local authority.
The current occupants were rehoused while the police
carried out search, which was initially expected to take two weeks.
A spokesman said they are not connected in any way to the
investigation.
Mr Hotchkiss' family have been informed of the result of the
search. His sister Kelly, who still lives in Gravesend, said
the not knowing had left her in "constant torment".
The 39-year-old said: "Ever since Bert went missing, I have been
in limbo. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about
it. It's a part of my life I can not shut off until I know what
happened."
Karl had been out
over the Easter weekend at what was The Old Manor Shades pub, Manor
Road, Gravesend (now The Manor) and the Station Inn pub, Gravesend
(now Bar 24, Station Road).
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 01634
884011 or Kent
Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
• For more news from the Gravesend area visit
the Gravesend Messenger website
>>>
Tuesday, May 05 2009
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