The search for the body of missing Portslade father Gary Hampson has moved into Surrey.
Officers from the Specialist Search Unit (SSU) of Sussex Police have been searching around Dunsfold Road, Tickners Heath, Dunsfold, this morning (Friday 27 May).
The scoping exercise follows the completion of searches at 16 sites in the Cowfold, Henfield and Bolney areas of Sussex.
These included underwater searches of a stretch of the River Adur between Henfield and Cowfold and a number of ponds.
Detective Inspector Phil Mays said: “The scoping exercise to locate the body of Gary Hampson is expected to continue in Surrey until early next week.
“Officers are methodically looking for signs of a change to the ground or vegetation that would indicate a body has been left or buried.
“We are still keen to trace the owner of a red Ford Mondeo that was seen at Kops Cars garage in Little Western Street, Brighton, in January.
“Gary managed the garage and we are keen to speak to any customers who left cars for repair at the beginning of the year.”
Mr Hampson was reported missing in January after he failed to contact his 10-year-old daughter, despite being in regular contact with her.
He was last seen dropping her home from school.
Detectives are now conducting a murder investigation after finding a significant amount of Mr Hampson’s blood at the garage by the border of Brighton and Hove.
Daniel Alexander, 61, of no fixed address, has been charged with his murder and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Roy Bartup, 57, of Natal Road, Brighton, has been charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
They remain in custody awaiting trial.
A 48-year-old man from Brighton arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed until Wednesday 25 May has been rebailed until Monday 20 June.
A 66-year-old Brighton woman arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail until Friday 17 June.
A 25-year-old man from Brighton, arrested on Monday 9 May on suspicion of assisting an offender was bailed until Friday 10 June.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
