Backpacker help offer rejected by police in Panama

(news.bbc.co.uk) The mother of a backpacker missing in Panama fears her son will not be found after the authorities refused help from Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Gill Humphrey's 29-year-old son, Alex, disappeared as if in a "puff of smoke" while visiting a beauty spot in Chiriqui nine months ago.

She said she had been given renewed hope when there was a possibility of the two forces working together.

GMP said an offer was made but the "Panamanian police politely declined".

Det Ch Insp Mark Roters added: "Greater Manchester Police offered to send officers to Panama to support the Panamanian police, but our offer was politely declined by them.

"The investigation is still open in Panama and we will continue to monitor developments."

Mr Humphrey went missing on 13 August. He was last seen by the owner of the hostel he was staying at in Boquete, Chiriqui, near the Costa Rican border.

He left all his belongings and only had with him his passport, credit card and a few dollars.

"We know he left the hostel, we know he went to a local beauty spot and we think he left the local beauty spot.

"Then he vanished like a puff of smoke."

She said GMP officers had even sorted out an itinerary, as well as having the necessary injections for entering the Central American country.

"An invitation to come over to Panama and help the police has to come voluntarily and spontaneously from Panama," she said.

"It has to be done through Interpol. Interpol in Panama has to tell its government to ask our government through Interpol London - it's a diplomatic parlour game."

She added: "I will never give up hope, I can't, I'm his mother."

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Original Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8623097.stm
Date Retrieved: April 16, 2010