Body found in search for missing man

By Bree Harding

Nov 4, 2024

SES members during their search along the Midland Hwy at Shepparton East last month. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Police have located the body of a person during their search for missing man Gary Butt.

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The body, which is yet to be formally identified, was found on a Caniambo property on Monday, November 4.

About 45 SES and Search and Rescue volunteers, as well as police from Shepparton and Ballarat, searched an area along the Midland Hwy at Shepparton East last month during a large-scale search for Mr Butt.

Mr Butt, who has dementia, had been missing from Ballarat since September 22 after leaving his home at Golden Point at 9am.

He was picked up on CCTV at the Shepparton train station at 10pm that night, and again on CCTV from the Midland Hwy near Doyles Rd about an hour later.

Items including a green bag containing Mr Butt’s personal belongings were found near the Midland Hwy and Central Ave on October 16.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Police will now prepare a report for the coroner.

Police thanked media for their assistance during the search.