Water police finish search for missing Geraldton man Brenton Shar, with detectives continuing inquiries

Police have called off the beach and ocean search for a Geraldton man and father of six who has been missing for more than three weeks, but say “inquiries are ongoing to locate him” despite no future searches planned. Specialist divers from Perth-based Water Police arrived in Geraldton on Wednesday to search waters off Midalia’s Beach in Beresford after a pair of black shorts possibly belonging to 37-year-old Brenton Shar were found on the rock groyne on May 12. They finished in the water about 5.30pm on Wednesday, after finding nothing of interest. “The search of the area around Midalia Beach including the water area has now concluded,” a WA Police spokesperson said on Thursday. “Water Police and specialist divers have returned to Perth. Mr Shar remains outstanding at this time and inquiries are ongoing to locate him. “There are no further planned searches.” The update comes after distraught yet hopeful family members of Mr Shar issued a public plea for information on Wednesday, and urged their son and partner to come home. Mr Shar was last seen at his home in Rangeway on May 1, and police hold concerns for his welfare. It’s believed that family reported him missing on May 9. On Wednesday, Mr Shar’s partner Kasey Burns spoke to the media, hopeful a message would get to her missing partner and father of six children. It was Ms Burns who found the pair of shorts at a rock groyne at Midalia’s Beach 11 days ago after she was contacted by people who said they saw Mr Shar in the area. “Brenton, if you are watching, or if you see this, can you please contact Mum, Dad, or me. We all miss you, love you and want you to come home,” she said. “Your babies Zendaya, Konstanz, Bennie, Evie, Emily and Dwight, are all worried for you. Can you contact somebody please? “If anybody is watching, or knows where he is, or seen him, please contact Geraldton police.” Ms Burns said her partner had not called or texted like he usually would, but she was still hopeful he was alive and in the community somewhere. “I got hope. I got hope that he’s out there,” she said. On Wednesday afternoon, Det. Sgt. Lewis said the shorts had been sent to Perth for analysis and they were increasing their search for Mr Shar. “We’ve decided to search the water as a line of inquiry, we are not 100 per cent sure he has been in the water,” he said. Det. Sgt Lewis said divers started in the area where the shorts were found, and then expanded the search depending on the current movements since Mr Shar was last seen. He said Mr Shar left the hospital earlier on May 1, the day he went missing, after being treated for an injured finger, wearing a pair of shorts matching the description of those found by his partner on the rock groyne. “We still need to get DNA testing because they are a generic pair of shorts,” he said. Det. Sgt Lewis said there had been no activity on Mr Shar’s bank account or mobile phone. With tears in his eyes, Mr Shar’s father Jimmie Mongoo said his son’s mother and three brothers missed him. “They’re all missing him heaps. We just want him to contact one of us or the police, just let us know he is safe and everything,” he said. “Any family members out there, that see or know anything, let us know.” Mr Shar is described as about 179cm tall, of medium build, with brown eyes and short brown hair. Police have also released CCTV images of Mr Shar taken on May 1, the day he was last seen, as well as a couple of days prior. Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444.