Concern grows for missing Chippenham man (From Wiltshire Times)

Concern grows for missing Chippenham man

8:22am Monday 8th March 2010 in News By Gary Lawrence

There is still no sign of Olympiad worker Donovan Van Lill, who has not been since since last Wednesday morning.

The 29-year-old, of Blackthorn Mews, Chippenham, was reported missing by colleagues at the Chippenham sports centre after he failed to turn up for work.

Worried friends have launched a Facebook group to help publicise the search for him. The group can be joined by clicking on the link below.

Friends have also produced their own posters which have been put up at the Olympiad and all around the town centre, at Chippenham railway station and in pubs.

Friend Margaret Andre, whose daughter Bonita is a close friend of Mr Donovan, said: "It is just so strange that he can just disappear. His housemate saw him on Wednesday.

"Then he just seems to have left. He was still logged on to Facebook. He took a duffle bag with some clothes and his driving licence but he left behind his car keys, his phone, his wallet and his passport.

"It is almost is if the doorbell went and he went to answer it. Then whoever was there took him away."

Mrs Andre has known Mr Donovan for six years. "This is so out of character for him," she said. "He is not into drink or drugs. He just loves his job and his friends. He is not the sort of boy to do anything wrong. I can't understand how he can have got into trouble and felt he had to run away."

One worker at the Olympiad said yesterday: "We are all really worried. It is so out of character for him not to be in touch."

The Wiltshire Times understands his wallet and passport were found at his home in Chippenham.

He has a Slovakian girlfriend who is believed to be on holiday in Egypt.

Police have spoken to friends and checked CCTV at Chippenham railway station.

On Friday PC Mark Gale said: "He is known to be a very reliable employee, and was last at work on Tuesday. After he didn’t come into work on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday his employers contacted us.

“At the moment we have no reason to believe he is in any danger so he is a low risk missing person.

“We take all reports of missing persons very seriously and never rule anything in or out."

Mr Van Lill is described as having a South African accent, short dark hair and a stocky build.

Olympiad manager Jenny Christensen said: “We tried to call him a lot on Wednesday and get in touch with him on Facebook but there’s not that much we can do.

“We’re keeping our eyes open and asking his friends if they know anything. It’s a worrying time for everyone here.”

Mr Donovan plays rugby for Corsham and third team captain Jason Goldsworthy said his teammates are concerned.

“At the end of the day he’s one of our teammates and so we’re worried about him," he said.

“Some of the guys on the team also work at the leisure centre so see him a lot."