The heartbroken wife of a man who has been missing for over five weeks has made a desperate plea for her "best friend" to come home safe. Michelle Baglin hasn't seen her partner of over 30 years since December 28, when Peter, 55, got up off the sofa and said he was going for a walk to "clear his head".
The great-grandad left their Boothstown home, saying he would be back soon but he has still not returned and the devastated family are now in a "living nightmare" with many unanswered questions, the Manchester Evening News reports. In a new video appeal, Michelle has spoken of the family's terrible grief as she questioned: "How can you live a normal life and think about the future, when your future isn't there beside you?"
She continued: "We are like best buds - we have been together that long, we are like chalk and cheese. We have been married for over 20 years, but it doesn't seem that long.
"I can't get over how this has happened, when you hear about it on the TV or the papers, it's as if its someone else. I never thought I'd be here doing this at this time in my life. It's as if it's not me and somebody else, it's surreal. He's always enjoyed walking, but when he didn't come back... that was different."
Peter left their home and was last spotted nearby the Texaco Garage on East Lancs Road, Mosley Common on December 28 at around 7.38pm. Michelle spoke to him over the phone later that evening, at around 8.15pm and he told her he was going to walk along Bridgewater Canal to "clear his head".
She was worried, but he assured her he would "be home soon". In the days following his disappearance, police organised huge search teams in the local area to scour woodlands and had divers in the canal. A number of Peter's personal belongings were found close to the embankment on Vicars Hall Lane, including his hat, phone, bank card, tobacco, house keys and headphones.
All of his possessions have been recovered and are with police but there have been no other reported sightings of him. Michelle previously told the MEN: "It is always there in the back of your mind. Even when you try and just carry on and be normal, you can't. It's a bit like a bereavement, but there's nothing at the end of it and no answers.
"How can you live a normal life and think about the future, when your future isn't there beside you? I keep asking myself if I have missed anything or not picked up on any signs.
"I've thought over and over about the night he went missing. There were no signs of him letting me know he was struggling, but I would have known.
"I'm his best friend and he is mine. I'm missing you, your family is missing you, everybody is missing you. He is loved by everyone. You never stop wanting and hoping. I just want him home."
Peter was last seen wearing navy coloured joggers, walking shoe type trainers and a grey Mountain Equipment hoodie with a red zip and a hat. He is described as being 5ft10in tall, with grey hair, and a tattoo on the left side of his neck that says 'Michelle'. He is also wearing his wedding ring.
Anyone with any information can contact GMP on 101 or through the LiveChat Function on the website, www.gmp.police.uk. If you’re unsure about coming forward, you can also pass on information anonymously through the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
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