Gary Patterson withdrew £100 from a bank machine close to his home – then disappeared.
It was the last action the 45-year-old is known to have made, at 10.30am on Saturday, October 12.
Then nothing, no more sightings, either by people or captured on camera.
Gary’s friends and family are ramping up their search efforts with an appeal for people to join them this weekend.
The last image of Gary is CCTV footage showing him walking down the stairs from his flat in Priory Gardens in Larne.
His family along with friends have carried out searches daily. They want others to join on Sunday at 10am to fan out from Woodside, close to that bank machine.
Brother Simon, who made a video appeal, said there has been no activity in his bank or on his phone since he went missing.
He may have “wandered off” but there is a concern “that somebody has taken advantage of him,” Mr Patterson said.
Posted by Paul Laverty on Thursday 9 January 2025
The missing man lived by himself in the flat and was an avid CD DVD collector, his brother said, adding he never drank or took drugs. But Gary was a bit of a loner, one of the reasons he was not reported missing until December 20.
Local man Paul Laverty, who has helped in previous searches around his home town and offered help to the family, said Gary’s disappearance and the not knowing what happening is “soul destroying”.
There was no prior indication that he would make the decision to disappear, said Mr Laverty. He was a creature of habit, often visiting his local record shop, always home by 4pm.
After leaving his flat that Saturday morning, he went to the Tesco Express and withdrew £100.
It was when he failed to turn up for an optician’s appointment the alarm was finally raised, Mr Laverty added.
“There has been no sightings, no leads, it is just very mysterious,” he said, adding his hope as many people as possible turn up at 10am to help in Sunday’s search.
“We urge anyone with dashcam or doorbell camera footage to come forward, and any relevant information should be reported to us or the PSNI without delay.
“Let us unite in our efforts to bring Gary back to his family.”
Police this week renewed their appeal for information in connection with Mr Patterson’s disappearance.
“Gary was reported missing on Friday, 20th December and has links to the Larne and Belfast areas,” a police spokesperson said.
“He has dark hair and when last seen, he had a thick moustache and was wearing a distinctive yellow and black check patterned coat with dark blue jeans, hiking/walking boots and a black beanie hat.”
