The search for a much-loved family man continues but the most recent confirmed CCTV of him is nearly two weeks old.
The probe into missing south Liverpool man Matthew Dillon has shifted counties with North Yorkshire Police leading on the investigation. 46-year-old Matthew was last seen leaving his home address in Armitage Gardens, Mossley Hill on Monday, January 2.
As he left the house his dad asked him where he was going - to which he replied "it's a nice day, I might go to Southport". Matthew's last contact with his family was later the same day in a WhatsApp message. The popular man told his dad he would be back at 10.30pm if his bus, the 80A, was on time.
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A message sent by his dad to take care on the bus was "read" at 10.29pm, but a follow up message at 10.50pm was not delivered. Since then Matthew has been sighted on a number of times more than 100 miles away in York - and caught on CCTV twice.
Matthew was caught on CCTV in The Postern Gate pub, York in the evening of January 4 - and then the following day at York train station. Matthew's younger sister, Lizzy Hankinson, previously told the ECHO: "Yorkshire Police came to us with a CCTV image and as a family we were asked to confirm it was Matthew, and we were positive it was him - but that's all we have at the moment."
In a public Facebook post on January 15, Lizzy said "while I have been quiet on social media the search for Matt has not let up behind the scenes". The 37-year-old added: "I am in constant contact with [North] Yorkshire Police pushing and asking questions. There have been many potential sightings in York however the battle for CCTV has been hard." Lizzy continued to thank people for their continued support in the search for Matthew - and urged people to continue to look.
The office administrator is described by the authorities as white, with a large build, short red hair and glasses. His sister said he is known for wearing hats, either a baseball cap in sunny weather or a beanie in the cold.
She previously said her brother had left home in his "usual manner". She told the ECHO: "We've rallied together, but it's obviously hard not knowing exactly where he is and what's going on. We've had absolutely no contact whatsoever."
Lizzy said: "Matthew is very popular, very loved, not only by his family. He just seems to be one of those people everybody likes, and people are very eager for him to come home. His work colleagues are all incredibly concerned and they want him back as well. I just want to ask anyone who has had a possible sighting to please contact the police immediately, as the information is best coming first hand.
"Our message stands to Matthew, just try and get a message to us so we know you're OK, whether that's going to police, to a hospital, a doctor, or whatever you see fit. Just let us know you're OK."
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "He is still listed as missing and enquiries remain ongoing." But due to the last sightings of Matthew being logged in Yorkshire, the force in North Yorkshire are now leading the investigation.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Matthew, 46, left his home in Liverpool on January 2 He is known to have visited York's pubs in the past. He is white, of large build, with short, sandy hair, and wears glasses. We remain very concerned for his welfare, and are urging anyone who sees him or knows where he is to get in touch straight away."
Anyone with information that could help find him is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, or 999 with an immediate sighting, quoting reference 12230003853.
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