Plea for missing man
A friend of a missing schizophrenic has pleaded with him to make contact so he can be returned to care, as his time without his daily medication stretches into a third week.
The last confirmed sighting of Enoch “Sam” Walsh was at a BP service station in Merredin at 12.09pm on Sunday, October 5 – the day he disappeared after failing to return to the Claremont psychiatric facility where he lived.
He paid cash for some chocolate and fuel for his 1998 silver Hyundai Excel hatchback, registration 1AFY 124.
Police say he was wearing a distinctive red baseball cap with the words ‘Arcade’ in white letters on the front and a long metal neck chain with a silver key attached - and have released images of him wearing those items in the hope it will spark people’s memories.
Det-Sen. Sgt Jason Beesley said the 38-year-old drove east on Great Eastern Highway after leaving the service station.
But police did not know if he went to the Goldfields or kept going to the eastern states. They have investigated several sightings but do not know where he is.
Police and family friend Michelle Dunlop have launched a fresh appeal to try to find Mr Walsh.
Mr Walsh was seen wearing a distinctive red cap.
Mrs Dunlop said there were no warning signs and she did not believe the ninth anniversary of his mother’s death on October 17 prompted him to vanish.
The 38-year-old has been under psychiatric care since he slit his mother’s throat in 2005. He was found not guilty of her murder on grounds he was of unsound mind.
“He’s been extremely well… he’s held down a part-time job… attending TAFE, very stable,” she said.
“Even on the day of his disappearance he showed no signs of any anxiety or depression… very happy, very normal.
“It was definitely a big surprise for everyone who knows Sam.”
Mr Walsh last received medication on October 4 and police have urged anyone who sees him to call them, saying they do not know how he would react if approached.
Mrs Dunlop, who has known Mr Walsh since he was a baby, did not believe he would hurt anyone else, although he did need his medication.
She described him as a loving, gentle and sensitive young man who had been the primary carer for his mentally ill and profoundly deaf mother since his parents separated when he was a teenager.
“He sacrificed much of his own life to do that,” she said. “After many years of that, I believe, I saw that Sam’s health deteriorated.
“He reached out for support; sadly it wasn’t forthcoming and shortly after, this tragedy occurred.”
Mrs Dunlop said although it was difficult for him to live with the consequences of killing his mother, she believed he accepted the fact he was not mentally responsible for his actions.
“I think it would be very hard with the guilt regardless… but he knows that he was not accountable for that and that’s been proven in the court,” she said. “I don’t think the anniversary would have evoked any special emotions which may have caused his disappearance, it’s definitely a mystery.”
Mrs Dunlop said Mr Walsh’s family and friends were worried and distressed that he had not made contact and wanted him to know how much they loved him.
Mr Walsh is described as 182cm tall, of slim build with brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
