Police close case on missing man James Walker

A year on from the last positive sighting of missing man James Walker, police yesterday announced they were closing the case.

The Eddie Murphy look-a-like had been missing since January 2009, when he scored a stunning equaliser against rivals Leyton Orient.

Police however have now concluded that he'll wash up at Gillingham because all ex-Southend players seem to end up there or Wycombe - and Wycombe is further inland and they already have Harrold and Revell up front, with Betsy on the wing.

Police are however still looking for missing Essex business-man Geoff King, who was expected to deliver the eulogy, although no-one seems to be in a particular rush to find him.

TV appeal for missing man

The hunt for missing man James Walker is set to be boosted by Sky's decision to televise an appeal to find him.

The satellite giant, whose money has largely ruined football, has agreed to schedule a special programme on Monday 8 February 2010 from 7:45pm which is expected to showcase how the 22 year has been missed.

As previously reported, Walker's whereabouts have been uncertain ever since he went missing at Doncaster (from about 6 yards out) one night in May 2008. It is expected that Sky will now try and recreate that fateful night.

Although there were a handful of reports of a sighting on the right-wing Tuesday night
- including a pin-point accurate cross to Jean-François Christophe that the Frenchman somehow contrived not to score from - police remain sceptical. The sighting - and Walker's role in Southend's best moment of the game - appears to have gone by largely unnoticed, whilst police have dismissed a Walker sighting on the right-wing as unlikely, given this was not a known haunt of the 22 year old.

Reports continue to vary considerably as to how dangerous the Hackney-born man is.

Fears intensify over missing man

Police were said to be getting increasingly worried about the safety of missing man James Walker.

The former Charlton man has been on the missing list now for nearly a year since his glorious late equaliser against Orient. Despite reporting sightings in Hereford around September and October - and more recently around the Southend area - there have been no confirmed sightings of the talented front man.

In September we reported on how police were linking his disappearance to that of Essex business man Geoff King.

Suspicions intensified recently when Damien Scannell was used as substitute up front and out of position ahead of Walker against the McDons Franchise and then at Tranmere when the ineffective 86 year old Dougie Freedman was again preferred to start.

However recent developments have led police to conclude that Walker's personal safety is now in serious jeopardy.

Suspicions were first aroused at Yeovil when Ian Joyce was dropped from the bench to make way for loanee Sean Morrison. Subsequent hamstring injuries to untrusted left-back Johnny Herd and "enigmatic" Frenchman Francis Laurent that paved way for the loan signings of Scott Malone and Jabo Ibhere only served to strengthen concern for the well-being of fringe squad members.

Already young midfielder Stuart O'Keefe is under 24 hour police protection and police are now said to be "desperate" to find Walker to ensure his own safety.

Should you know the whereabouts of Walker, Geoff King or the infamous Warchest you are urged to contact crimestoppers immediately.

Police link missing man cases

Police are growing concerned about the where-abouts of missing Essex business- man Geoff King.

The Southend United Chief Executive has not been seen since he caused controversy earlier this month by undermining his manager and a player still under contract. He was expected to have commented on the departure of yet another player today, but was not available for comment.

Essex Police are linking his disappearance to that of Alex Revell's earlier this month and of Jimmy Walker who has been missing for months.

Police are looking into a suspected sighting of Walker in Hereford and think that Geoff King might now be locked in a cupboard instead of Walker. Anyone who knows of his whereabouts is advised to keep quiet for everyone's sake.

Walker to Hereford

Eddie Murphy look-a-like, James Walker has joined League two side Hereford United on a month's loan.

Geoff King was unavailable for comment.