A year before he vanished, Martin Joyce had been in a fragile state due to two bereavements. But when he did disappear he was back on track, insist his family.
The 29-year-old 'king of the family' was last seen on September 5th 1999. Last Friday was his 52nd birthday. Greater Manchester Police are treating the case as murder, but his sister begs to differ.
Mary Joyce said: "I don't believe he has been killed. But, I also don't know why his disappeared. He was the king of the family, the boss, a big brother. I think he is still out there."