It has been almost five months since Cummings Lodge resident Michael Banfus disappeared without a trace and while his family is convinced that he is not alive they are seeking closure.
Banfus of First Street, Cummings Lodge was last seen alive on September 22nd, 2019.
To date, there has been no sign of Banfus despite several searches and calls to his phone go to voicemail.
A missing person’s report was filed at the Sparendaam Police Station on September 25, 2019.
Days after his disappearance, a friend of Banfus, who he was reportedly last seen with, committed suicide, fuelling further suspicion.
In an interview with Stabroek News, Vianne Banfus, a cousin of Michael said that there has been no word from the police about the investigation.
She said while she is convinced that Michael is not alive, the family will be satisfied if they can get answers as to what happened to him and possibly locate his body.
“….I know my cousin is not alive…..We wanted to know why it is other people find their loved ones and now is almost five months and nothing ain’t coming out. Nothing. It’s something sad. We mind might be at ease if we see the boy body or something,” Vianne said.
Vianne had previously told this newspaper that weeks after Michael’s disappearance, she and other relatives met with Commissioner of Police Leslie James and subsequently the then Commander of Region 4 (a) Marlon Chapman, who had promised a police investigation into Michael’s disappearance.
However, Vianne said every time she visits the police station to follow up on the matter, she is being “pushed around”. “Every time we go to the police station we always getting turn down. The boy just disappear like that. I can’t say, I can’t understand what really happen,” Vianne added.
Vianne stated that the family believes that their cries are being ignored since there was never even a search to locate Banfus. “….Nobody never even try to help us to say that you know they will get someone to search for him you know,” Vianne said.
Vianne had previously explained to this newspaper that on the morning of September 22nd, 2019 Michael went to visit a relative at the Amerindian Hostel in Georgetown. He was accompanied by his now dead friend.
She had said that she learnt that they subsequently left together and went to the Heritage Games, which was held at the Everest Cricket Club, where they were seen by another relative.
The following three days, Vianne said, Michael didn’t turn up to work. As a result, she added, his colleagues became worried and tried reaching out to him but were unsuccessful.
They then ventured to his apartment. While there, she had said that the colleagues met with a roommate who relatives were never aware of.
Vianne had further explained that she later learnt that Michael’s friend who ended his life visited every weekend and would reportedly take him to Berbice often.
