Bushwalker Julio Ascui missing in Victoria's Grampians National Park raising family's concern
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The family of a Melbourne bushwalker missing in the Grampians National Park have used photos posted to social media to retrace his steps.
Key points:
- Julio Ascui went missing after beginning a hike at Halls Gap on December 29
- He is described as 165 centimetres tall, bald, with a medium build and tanned appearance
- It is the largest operation in the area since the 2016 disappearance of Gerald VanDerWerf, who remains missing
Julio Lester Ascui set off on a hike at Halls Gap in the Grampians four days ago and has not been heard from since.
Emergency services, friends and family have been searching the rugged terrain for any signs of him.
So far, only his car has been found near a popular rock climbing spot.
Mr Ascui's son-in-law Andrew Chahine said they hold out hope he will be found.
"We tried to follow all the photos he'd put up from the Grampians and we matched it exactly," Mr Chahine said.
"We drove up the mountain and went off-road. We somehow found the car, miraculously, we thought we'd found him."
His daughter Jessica Ascui-Ordonez said her father's disappearance was out of character.
She and her partner, Mr Chahine, drove three hours to Halls Gap on December 29 and have camped at the tourist destination with more than 25 family members and friends.
"He does like tracking and hiking but it's not normal for him not to tell anyone or (not) post online. He contacts us a lot," she said.
Police said they have grave concerns for Mr Ascui's welfare.
He is described as 165 centimetres tall, bald, with a medium build and tanned appearance.
He was last seen wearing a blue and white weatherproof jacket with a blue t-shirt and a brown baseball cap.
Police increase search resources
Victoria Police Air Wing, State Emergency Services, search and rescue specialists and local police are expected to be on the ground until just before nightfall in the search for Mr Ascui.
Sergeant Karen Baine from Halls Gap Police said the area where the father-of-two went missing is harsh terrain.
"No one knows what he has with him, what his intentions were or where he is," she said.
"So as the days go on obviously we have grave concerns for his welfare."
Sergeant Baine said the search is the largest operation in the area since the disappearance of St Kilda man Gerald VanDerWerf in September 2016.
Mr VanDerWarf remains missing.
Police are urging anyone with further information to contact Halls Gap Police on 03 5356 4411.
Topics: missing-person, community-and-society, law-crime-and-justice, travel-health-and-safety, halls-gap-3381, horsham-3400
