In the early hours of April 11 2021, a Melbourne man disappeared without a trace from Daylesford.
Esteban Do Santos has not been seen since.
It's a mystery that has held loved ones and police in a vice grip, and on the two-year anniversary of the 41-year-old's disappearance from Albert Street, Daylesford, a fresh plea for information has been issued.
"[Mr Do Santos's loved ones are] after answers ... and we certainly want to provide them with some sooner rather than later," Detective Sergeant Ricky Miller from Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit said.
The Patterson Lakes man is described as 182 centimetres tall, with a medium build and dark hair.
He was last seen at about 3.30am on Sunday, April 11, 2021, wearing blue jeans, a black puffer jacket, and carrying a green satchel and tan water bottle.
"We've conducted extensive searches and investigations ..." Sergeant Miller said.
"His wife awoke to find Esteban had left the address they were staying at in Daylesford, and he hasn't been sighted since.
"Much to our chagrin, and the family's, his whereabouts remain unknown at this stage."
Immediately after Mr Do Santos went missing, police and the SES scoured nearby bushland for any sign of him.
But the areas remain empty of any signs of the husband and father.
"What we believe is that Esteban left the address on foot. His vehicle remained at the address," Sergeant Miller added.
"We have not been able to confirm if he used any other vehicle or if he was taken from the address by any other services.
"He [also] has a slight limp when he walks — that's through a diagnosed medical condition... we believe he would've only been able to go a certain distance before he either would've needed rest or would have returned home."
Police have released images of distinctive rings Mr Do Santos was wearing when he disappeared in an attempt to jog any potential witnesses to a memory.
"We believe that those rings are fairly distinctive..."
"There are photos on [Victoria Police's] website if they can have a look at that and see if that jogs their memory from 2021."
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
