Family offer reward for information on missing Irishman last seen in Malaysia in December
The family of Stephen Warde is offering a €4,400 reward for any information that would lead directly to finding the missing Irishman.
Mr Warde, aged 32, entered Malaysia as a tourist on November 15 last year.
His brother Donal Warde, 34, said Stephen was seen on CCTV footage outside Mercu Summer Suites on Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur on December 28.
He also said that Stephen last checked his WhatsApp messaging app at 1.30am on January 2.
"The key for us right now is to find out what happened between December 28 and January 2.
"However we appreciate it as well if anyone can volunteer more recent information as well," he said.
He is described as being a quiet and placid man with dark brown hair, brown eyes, 5’11” in height, of a heavy set and was last seen wearing a blue and purple T-shirt, khaki shorts and black sneakers.
Donal added that his brother, who works in the e-commerce industry, had been to Malaysia at least once before.
Donal said he, his mother Mary Morrissey and another three siblings have flown into Kuala Lumpur to handle the matter.
Malaysian police authorities are investigating a report that Mr Warde was spotted close to where he had been staying.
A number of police officers have been assigned to investigate the case as they trawl through any CCTV images that may have caught on security cameras close to where he had been living and in the area where the possible sighting occurred.
Mr Warde, who is from a large family, was last seen a month ago on, a day before his tenancy was to expire. He had been due to fly to Thailand on the same day. All of his belongings were still in the unit when searched by police. His passport has not been used to exit the country.
Speaking by phone Police chief Assistant Commissioner Dang Wangi Shaharuddin Abdullah said: “We were alerted to Stephen’s disappearance by the international police authority Interpol. As a result, our search for him started straight away.
“His mother Mary and several of her children have been here for several days and are helping us with our search. They are being looked after by the Irish Embassy here in Kuala Lumpur.
“There have been two reported sightings of Stephen, one in December and one today in a place known as Daiau Kaco, 15 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur. A Moroccan man contacted us as he believes he saw Stephen thanks to reports on social media.
“I sent two detectives to the area, to check out the claim and to retrieve any CCTV available. They have reported back to me that he was spotted in a laundry shop and we have checked security cameras there but, unfortunately, he is not captured in them.
“Several officers are due to travel to the area tomorrow and along with local district police, to carry out searches, and question locals.
“I’m due to inform his mother and sisters of this development tomorrow. (Tuesday) We definitely believe Stephen is still alive and we will find him. Checks showed his passport has not been used to exit the country.
“His mother and sisters are coping well and are being very patient. It is a painful process for them.”
His mother said his disappearance is “totally out of character” for him.
Stephen’s family are liaising with the Irish Department of Foreign affairs in a bid to locate him.
A Department spokesperson said: “Foreign Affairs is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Dang Wangi police headquarters at +603-26002222 or its control centre hotline at +603-26977099 or the nearest police station.
