THE investigation into the disappearance of publican Frank Richter has ceased after the Corryong man contacted police.
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A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed yesterday officers had spoken to the licensee of the Corryong Hotel Motel and were satisfied he was safe.
Mr Richter’s wife of four months, Stacey, said last night she had not spoken to her husband but had been informed by police he was “fine and well”.
Mrs Richter, 26, declined to comment any further.
“I just want to let it go now,” she said.
“I just want things to calm down.”
The Richters have no children together.
But Mrs Richter has a daughter, Madison, 5.
Mr Richter, 46, vanished on Monday, July 14, after telling his wife he wanted to take a one-night break from work in Albury.
His silver Hummer was dumped unlocked outside The Hume Inn Motel with keys, cash and personal items inside and he fled west.
CCTV footage — which was seen by his wife — showed Mr Richter arriving at Broome airport in Western Australia last Tuesday night.
Police would not confirm his whereabouts and it is not known whether the German native plans to return to Corryong.
The hotel was repossessed by the ANZ Bank late on Wednesday.
An ANZ spokesman said the bank had acted swiftly when it became aware the licensee had disappeared.
“The ANZ acted appropriately to take control of the hotel to ensure the business was protected,” the spokesman said.
“ANZ would like to see the hotel continue to operate and to preserve the value of the business — whether the outcome is that the licensee returns, or the business is maintained as a going concern to allow a successful sale for the Richters.”
The hotel freehold is owned by a party in Melbourne. Mr Richter is the sole licensee and lessee.
