Alec Warburton murder investigation update

Detectives are carrying out a murder investigation after he was reported missing from his home in Vivian Road, Sketty, on Sunday 2nd August. He was last seen during the afternoon of Friday 31st July.

An appeal has also been made to trace 40-year-old David Ellis, a tenant of Mr Warburton who lives at the same address.

Neither Mr Warburton or Mr Ellis have been found.

Following extensive enquiries in the South Wales, Dyfed Powys, North Wales and Merseyside police areas Mr Warburton’s car, a dark green Peugeot 205 Mardi Gras, registration M805 HFJ, has been located at Birkenhead in Merseyside. It has been subject of a full forensic examination.

A team of detectives continue to work alongside colleagues at North Wales Police to conduct enquiries in and around the Betws y Coed area. Mr Warburton’s car was driven there on Saturday 1st August and left there at 7am on Sunday 2nd August. Police are appealing for any sightings of the vehicle in the Dolwyddelan area between 8.25pm on Saturday 1st August and midnight when it had arrived in Betws y Coed.

The car returned to Swansea on Sunday morning where it remained until Tuesday 4th August. The car was then driven to Birkenhead on Wednesday 5th August.

Further enquiries have confirmed that Mr Ellis travelled on the Stena Line Lagan ferry from Birkenhead to Belfast on the 10.30pm crossing on Wednesday 5th August which docked at Belfast at 6.30am on Thursday 6th August. Mr Ellis was seen to leave the ferry at 6.58am that morning (pictured above) when he was wearing a checked shirt, jeans and a cap carrying a distinctive holdall and rucksack.

Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley of the South Wales Police Specialist Crime Investigations Team said:

“Our investigation and search for Mr Warburton and Mr Ellis has extended from Swansea to North Wales and now to Northern Ireland where we have deployed officers to work alongside the Police Service of Northern Ireland to carry out enquiries.

“Mr Ellis’s whereabouts in Ireland are unknown. He may have friends, associates or family in Ireland offering him accommodation. We appeal to anyone who has seen him to come forward.

“I appeal to anyone who has seen Mr Warburton or Mr Ellis to contact the police. I appeal directly to Mr Ellis to come forward. as I believe that you hold the information we need to establish the circumstances of Alec Warburton’s disappearance.”

Det Supt Hurley added: “We are grateful for the support of the local community who have assisted in the search for Mr Warburton in and around Betws y Coed.

“We are working with North Wales Police to define a search area. If anyone is out walking in this area and sees anything suspicious or has any information then please contact the police.”

Specialist officers continue to support Alec Warburton’s family.

Anyone with information should contact South Wales Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 1500280779 or the incident room on 01792 562732