Police looking for Italian financial executive missing in Lahad Datu
Sabah police have mounted a massive manhunt for 52-year-old Italian William Bocchi, who was reported missing on Sunday after failing to return from Lahad Datu.
Sabah police chief Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said Bocchi, a financial executive, had last made contact with a friend known as Fabio on October 13.
"Initial investigations indicate that Bocchi had contacted Fabio on October 13 and told him that he was in Lahad Datu," Jalaluddin said.
"However, Bocchi did not specify his exact location or the reason for his being in Lahad Datu. He is believed to have flown to Lahad Datu to meet a client."
It was learnt that Bocchi's disappearance was reported to police by Sia Yiik Huon, a manager at MP Machinery.
Sia told police he had received an email from a friend in Kuala Lumpur, who had received an email from Fabio stating that Bocchi had not returned to Italy.
Jalaluddin said records showed that Bocchi had arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on October 12.
"Bocchi then flew MASwings on October 13 to travel to Lahad Datu from Kota Kinabalu the following day," Jalaluddin said.
A team comprised of personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department and the Special Branch has been set up to locate the missing Italian national.
Police have so far searched various hotels, airports, hospitals, motels, rest houses and several resorts.
"There has been no information received thus far on Bocchi's whereabouts," Jalaluddin said. – October 21, 2014.
