NSW Police are renewing their appeal for information into the disappearance of a man from Sydney's south more than 46 years ago, as part of this year's Missing Persons Week.
Michael Croaker, then aged 18, was last seen at Prince Henry Hospital in Little Bay – where he was staying as a patient – on Friday 20 October 1973.
Hospital staff reported Mr Croaker missing to police the following day when they could not locate him.
At the time of his disappearance, Michael was described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a pale complexion, about 162cm tall, with a solid build, brown hair and brown eyes.
During the investigation, police received information that Mr Croaker may have travelled from Sydney to Western Australia across the Nullarbor Plain in April 1974.
There was also an unconfirmed sighting of him in the Kings Cross area in May 1995.
In April 2009, a coronial inquest found that it was likely that Mr Croaker had died, but the date, place and cause of death was undetermined.
The Missing Persons Registry continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Mr Croaker, who would have celebrated his 65th birthday in March this year.
Michael's sister, Ms Trish Croaker, is encouraging people this Missing Persons Week to take time out to visit www.missingpersons.gov.au.
"This October will mark 47 years since Michael disappeared, and the search for answers has been as devastating as it has been long," Ms Croaker said.
"To avoid other families going through what we have, please visit the official Missing Persons website. It may spare someone else a lifetime of grief."
Anyone with information about Michael Croaker's disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information is treated in strict confidence. The community is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Missing Persons Week is an annual national campaign to raise awareness of the issues and impacts surrounding missing persons and runs between Sunday 2 August and Saturday 8 August 2020.
For more information on the campaign visit www.missingpersons.gov.au.
