What happened to Lionel Russell?

The mysterious disappearance of a man not seen since leaving dense bush in the Central North Island during the 1970s, is to feature on Television New Zealand's The Missing on Tuesday (19 October).

Lionel Sydney Russell had a troubled childhood. As a young man he got into relatively minor trouble, served a three month prison sentence, and spent a period of time in a mental institution.

In 1975 after his marriage broke down, 25-year-old Lionel accepted an invitation from a man he had met in Mt Eden prison to spend the summer in an isolated spot of the Raetihi - Ruapehu area growing marijuana with another unknown man and an 8-year-old child.

Eight weeks into the five month venture Lionel had enough of living rough and decided to leave with the unidentified man. The older man walked the pair out of the bush leaving the child back at the camp.

The then eight-year-old recalls hearing two gunshots about an hour after the three men left camp. When he later asked the older man where Lionel was he was told that he had gone to Australia.

Lionel was never heard from again and it was out of character for him not to stay in touch with his family. However Lionel was not reported missing until 1997 when a chance conversation between the boy - now 43-years-old, and a woman appeared to confirm what he had always thought - that Lionel had been murdered.

Police embarked on numerous enquiries both in New Zealand and across the Tasman but never located Lionel. The second unknown man who left the bush with Lionel has never been identified, and the older man has continued to deny any involvement in Lionel's disappearance.

At 9.30pm on Tuesday TV1's The Missing revisits the case and considers the various possibilities behind Lionel's disappearance.

Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann, Central Police District said: "Lionel may have disappeared over 30 years ago, but finding out what happened to him is just as important as if he disappeared yesterday. His family want and deserve to know the truth and if someone has information that will help us to bring those answers to the family we would urge them to contact us."

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann at Whanganui Police on 06 343 5425. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Media enquiries should be referred to Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann.