Gary Patterson: Missing Larne man's family in 'complete limbo'

The brother of missing Larne man Gary Patterson has told UTV that his family are in "complete limbo" about his whereabouts after months of searching for him.

The 45-year-old had been living in the town for ten years before his disappearance.

"His pride and joy was the wee flat he had in Larne," explained his brother Simon.

"People have told us that Gary would walk down the street always a smile on his face and that he was pleasant to everybody.

"He was a creature of habit, he liked routine, he lived in his own wee bubble and was no hassle to anybody."

When Gary first moved to Larne more than a decade go, he helped out in local charity shops and church groups in the area.

His brother told UTV that Gary "was last seen on 12 October 2024 leaving his apartment, which CCTV had picked up on".

"I live quite a distance from Gary and communication between us would have been hit or miss.

"I was working down south and I got a phone call from the police on 20 December making me aware that Gary had gone missing."

"Gary never took drink or drugs and there's absolutely no evidence he ever did".

Since his disappearance, Gary's family have "searched high and low" in Larne.

"We kept walking past water courses so we thought we need to check these," explained Simon.

"We self-funded and got professional outfits underwater search teams out to help us."

Unfortunately those searches did not uncover any clues to Gary's whereabouts.

"We're completely in limbo now as we're running out of areas to search as we don't have a lead," said Simon.

"The police have done bank checks, public transport checks, hospital checks, any CCTV checks they have been able to do they have done, so they have nothing to go on - the same as us."

Simon's appeal to anyone with information is that they come forward.

Gary was described by police as having "dark hair and when last seen, he had a thick moustache and was wearing a distinctive yellow and black check patterned coat with dark blue jeans, hiking/walking boots and a black beanie hat".The PSNI added: “We are growing increasingly concerned for Gary’s wellbeing and would ask that anyone who has seen him, or who may have information which may help us to locate him, contact police on 101, quoting reference 530 of 20/12/24.”

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