THE sister of a man who went missing just hours before her wedding has renewed the family’s plea for his safe return.
Worried relatives and police say they are “extremely” concerned about the welfare of father-of-two John Michael Thomas Burke, 38, who mysteriously disappeared more than a week ago.
John’s newly-wedded sister, Kate, who just returned from her honeymoon, has joined other family members in urging anyone with information to come forward.
She said: “John where ever you are, please contact someone and let them know that you are alright. It’s okay that you didn’t come to my wedding. I just want you to come home.
“Everyone is really worried about you, we want to know that you’re safe. Please come home.”
The labourer was last seen at the home of his future brother-in-law on Saturday, August 7, at about 9.30am, as he and other male family members were preparing for the wedding.
His suit was hung up ready to wear when John said he was popping out to a local shop for cigarettes, but never returned.
The wedding went ahead without him and he was reported missing to Cheshire Police the next day. Last week, family members wrote a touching letter for his return but to no avail.
The search has taken divers to the nearby Manchester Ship Canal as well as parkland in Rivacre Valley, Eastham Country Park and Eastham Ferry near the Mersey shoreline.
Cheshire Police spokesman Jacqui Hanson said: “It is uncharacteristic of John to go missing. He has not been missing before.
“John is a white man, about 5ft 4in tall, and stocky in build. He has short dark hair, which is receding at the front.
“When he left the groom’s house, he was wearing a blue Addidas jacket with grey sleeves with stripes down the side and a blue Dunlop T-shirt and white trainers. A photograph of John is available on the Cheshire Constabulary website.”
If you have seen John, or if you have any information which can assist, contact Ellesmere Port police on 0845 458 0000.