Appeal to identify former housemates of long term missing man Bruce Gapper

Detectives investigating the disappearance of a Dewsbury man 16 years ago have released details of two people who they would like to trace as part of their ongoing enquiries.

Bruce Roger Gapper, then aged 40, was reported missing from home in Groves Hall Road, Dewsbury Moor, on Tuesday, 16 March, 1999. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the investigation is now being treated as a murder inquiry.

As a result of enquiries following a reappeal for information in March, officers are keen to speak to two people who it is understood lived with Bruce in the year before his disappearance.

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The first person is a woman who temporarily lived with Bruce during 1998. She was aged in her mid 30s in the late 90s. She is described at the time as being tall, of slim build, with dark, wavy, shoulder-length hair and is also said to have been well spoken.

The other person officers are keen to speak to is a man called Fraser who lived with Bruce for a few months in 1998. He is described as being aged in his early 20s at the time, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins tall, of thin build, with dark brown hair. He is described as tending to wear a full-length black leather coat or a blue RAF style overcoat.

He would on occasions go to the Frontier nightclub in Batley, which was also frequented by Bruce, and it is thought that he may have worked in the Manchester area.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark McManus, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “We are keen to identify this man and woman who we believe may be able to assist us in to our ongoing enquiries in to Bruce’s disappearance.

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“We understand they both lived with Bruce temporarily at separate times during the year before he was reported missing.

“I would urge this man and woman, or anyone with further details about them, to please call the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 01924 334605 or via 101. Information can also be passed to independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Bruce was reported missing after he failed to turn up for work on the morning of Monday, March 15, 1999.

The last confirmed sighting of him was at 1.30pm on the Sunday when a neighbour saw him unloading shopping from his car. His car was found by a member of the public at the junction of Castle Hill Side and Lumb Lane, near the Castle Hill Monument in Huddersfield.

His bank card was used on a number of occasions after he was last seen; firstly in Heckmondwike, then in Scarisbrick, near Southport, and finally in the Morley area.