Lester LEE

Date published: Thursday, November 17, 2005.
Author: ELIZA YOUNG
Missing link?

POLICE investigating the disappearance of a Devonport man early this month have not ruled out a possible link with another mystery disappearance almost 12 months ago.

Both men were last seen in Tarleton St, East Devonport.

Police hold grave fears for David John Sushames, 44, who was last seen walking in Tarleton St about 1pm on November 1.

North Motton man Lester Lee, 41, was last seen on the corner of Tarleton St and Torquay Rd on December 19 last year.

Devonport CIB Acting Detective Inspector Peter Powell said the men shared similar characteristics although there was nothing at this stage to suggest they knew each other.

"Both men are of similar age, and are both single living men who were both last seen in the same area," Det-Insp Powell said.

"But ... in looking at their backgrounds there's nothing to suggest the two men are linked in any way. It's just a bit of a coincidence, I think."

Police have exhausted all leads in the search for Mr Sushames, who has not accessed his bank account or used his mobile phone since the day of his disappearance.

"There's nothing to suggest there has been foul play but there's also no reason he would disappear like this his family say it's totally out of character," Inspector Powell said.

"We're fairly worried about him and obviously his family are very concerned."

Mr Sushames lives alone in Devonport, does not work and shares joint custody of two children with his estranged wife.

He is due to appear in the Devonport Magistrate Court next January on drug-related charges. Police do not believe the charges relate to Mr Sushames' disappearance.

Lester Lee remains an active entry on the police missing person's list.

Anyone with information can contact Devonport CIB on 64217537 or Crimestoppers on 1800005555.

Date published: Wednesday, December 28, 2005.
Author: SEAN FORD
Search for new clues

DEVONPORT CIB is reviewing its investigations into two North-West disappearances, as officers seek answers on the fate of Lester Lee and David Sushames.

They are looking for anything they might have overlooked or which provides a new clue.

Mr Lee, of North Motton, was last seen in the Tarleton St area at East Devonport on December 19, 2004.

Mr Sushames, of East Devonport, was last seen in Tarleton St on November 1 this year.

"We are still expending a lot of time on both cases," Inspector Matt McCreadie said yesterday.

"We are still treating both with priority and putting a lot of time in investigating all aspects of both."

Inspector McCreadie said police had investigated several unpleasant rumours about what happened to the men and regarded them as improbable.

He asked people to provide any genuine information and not to "be taken with some of the more outlandish rumours".

He said police were still treating the two disappearances as separate, but were looking for any possible links.

There was talk Mr Sushames had been going to Railton on November 1.

Police subsequently placed a mobile station at the town, but turned up nothing.

Inspector McCreadie said police were keen to hear from anyone who knew if Mr Sushames was there that day and anything about his movements or who he might have met.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Devonport police on 64217511

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