Man arrested over St Kilda great Barry Breen’s missing brother
Detectives traveled interstate and arrested a man who may have been involved in the “suspicious disappearance” of a St Kilda football star’s brother; Just two weeks after concluding that this man was likely the victim of foul play.
Brendan Breen, brother of football star Barry Breen, was last seen on April 12, 2012 at the Hilton hotel in South Wharf, where he and his girlfriend were staying after returning from a three-week holiday in Thailand and Singapore.
Last month, police investigating her disappearance said a recent re-examination of her case led them to believe Breen was likely the victim of foul play.
On Wednesday police confirmed detectives from the missing persons squad traveled to Queensland and arrested a 42-year-old Brisbane man. He was interviewed and released pending further investigation. No charges were made.
Breen, a father of two children who was unemployed at the time and living at different addresses, was going to have dinner with his ex-partner on the night he disappeared, but canceled it via text message at the last minute. He was never seen or heard from again.
The convicted fraudster also used the surnames Green and Lacombe and the pseudonym Brian Green. Her family reported her missing the following month, as they became increasingly concerned for her welfare after she was unable to attend her daughter’s wedding.
Breen is a member of a large and supportive extended family that includes famous brother Barry, who took the last breath in the 1966 grand final that took St Kilda to its only ever flag, and several other siblings.
Suspicions were raised among Breen’s loved ones that something was wrong after she did not attend her daughter’s funeral in 2018. His phone and bank accounts have not been accessible since 2012.
“Despite a number of investigations over the next few years Brendan has not been located,” police said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Over the past 14 years, police have interviewed various friends and associates of Brendan in an attempt to establish his whereabouts, who may have been involved in his disappearance and possible motivations for harming him.”
Marta Pascual with Juanola and Sarah Danckert
Beginning A roundup of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
