Murder hunt for tenant after landlord goes missing

The police says it is continuing to investigate the disappearance of 59-year-old Alec Warburton, a Swansea landlord.

Detectives are carrying out a murder investigation after he was reported missing from his home in Sketty, a suburb of the city, on Sunday August 2. He was last seen during the afternoon of Friday July 31.

An appeal has been made to trace 40-year-old David Ellis, a tenant of Warburton who lives at the same address.

Warburton’s car was driven to Betws y Coed on Saturday August 1 and left there at 7am on Sunday August 2. Police are appealing for any sightings of the vehicle in the Dolwyddelan area between 8.25pm on Saturday August 1 and midnight when it had arrived in Betws y Coed.

The car returned to Swansea on Sunday morning where it remained until Tuesday  August 4. The car was then driven to Birkenhead on Wednesday August 5. It has since been recovered by police.

Ellis travelled on the Stena Line Lagan ferry from Birkenhead to Belfast on the 10.30pm crossing on Wednesday August 5 which docked at Belfast at 6.30am on Thursday August 6.

Ellis was seen to leave the ferry at 6.58am that morning when he was wearing a checked shirt, jeans and a cap carrying a distinctive holdall and rucksack.

Police believe Ellis took a taxi from Victoria Terminal 2 at Belfast Port and was dropped off at the Great Victoria station bus and rail terminal (known locally as the Europa bus station) in the city centre. There have been further possible sightings of him on a train and at a railway station which are being followed up.

Anyone with information should contact South Wales Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 1500280779 or the incident room on 01792 562732 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.