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Buried fridge may offer clues to missing man’s fate

Police in the backyard of Mr Thornton's Brisbane home on Monday.

Police in the backyard of Mr Thornton's Brisbane home on Monday. Photo: Facebook

Police investigating the disappearance of a Brisbane man more than a month ago hope a refrigerator dug up in the man’s backyard will help find him.

David Thornton, 58, was last seen on February 22 in his home suburb of Goodna, west of Brisbane.

He has made no contact with friends or family since.

Mr Thornton was reported missing by family members only on March 12 and his disappearance is being treated as suspicious.

Queensland Police say there are concerns for Mr Thornton’s safety because the lack of contact with friends and family is out of character. He also has a medical condition.

On Monday, Queensland Police Service released footage of a fridge or freezer excavated from the man’s backyard during the search.

“It’s been sent off to the lab for testing and hopefully we’ll have a better idea what’s happening on Tuesday,” a spokesman said.

david thornton fridge backyard

David Thornton has been missing from his Brisbane home for more than a month. Photo: AAP

Police started digging up the backyard of Mr Thornton’s home on Saturday night.

On Monday morning, detectives ordered the excavation to resume after receiving fresh information.

Forensic experts are also combing the inside of the house, where Mr Thornton lived alone.

Detective Inspector David Briese would not reveal what they were looking for or if anything had been found.

He said they were keeping an open mind about what happened to Mr Thornton.

“We are open to all possibilities but at this point we are treating it as suspicious,” he said.

-with AAP

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