UPDATE: Police fear a man missing from Gerogery has been murdered as officers scour a property close to a home where he was last seen.
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Officers searched the Olympic Highway property near the centre of the small town for several hours on Monday.
Police had received information about missing man William Chaplin, who was last seen in May 2010 but only reported missing by family last Monday.
Officers focused on two dams located on the farming property, and sifted through soil towards the rear.
Detective Chief Inspector Winston Woodward said there was still slim hopes Mr Chaplin was alive.
"We do suspect also that a homicide may have been committed," he said.
"Information has led us here and we are looking for a body which we believe could be that of William."
He said the owner of the property was not involved in the matter.
Residents spoken to by The Border Mail on Monday said they barely knew Mr Chaplin, or weren't keen to talk.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Posters calling for information have been placed around town.
The Lavington man but was thought to have been living in a home on Gerogery's main street when he vanished.
Detective Chief Inspector Woodward said there were people who knew what happened to him.
"I believe there are people in the community who have known about William's disappearance for 10 years and have failed to come forward," he said.
"I urge them now to do the right thing by William and William's family and come forward and speak to Murray River Police detectives about what they know."
Publican Alahna Quinlivan said police made enquiries at the hotel late last week.
"None of the locals who have been drinking here for years knew him," she said.
"No-one can even remember him.
"It seems strange he was only just reported missing if he was last seen 10 years ago.
"It's odd."
General store owner Robin Hemburrow said he was shocked to learn police were searching for a body.
"I couldn't believe it," he said.
"I thought he was a missing person who'd just run away.
"Why would you report him missing after 10 years, why not before?
"It's pretty strange."
People in the town began talking about the case after a police appeal for information last week, but it seems Mr Chaplin wasn't well known in the area.
Detective Chief Inspector Woodward said Albury investigators had been working with the homicide squad on the case.
The search may take two or three days.
Anyone with information can call (02) 6023 9299 or 1800 333 000.
EARLIER: Police are currently searching a property at Gerogery over the suspected homicide of a man who has been missing for almost 10 years.
William Chaplin was last seen in Gerogery in early to mid-May 2010, but he was only reported missing to police by his family on last Monday.
Police suspect he was the victim of homicide and information in the past week has led them to the property on the Olympic Highway.
Police divers are currently on the scene inspecting two dams, with the search expected to go on for two to three days.
The current owners of the property are in no way linked to the man's disappearance, police said.
Detective Chief Inspector Winston Woodward said people in the community would have information in relation to the case, and appealed for them to come forward.
Last week, Detective Sergeant Chris Wallace said police approached the family and were treating the disappearance as suspicious.
"The family, we've approached them about him and they've confirmed our worst fears, that he has not been seen since 2010," he said.
"His whereabouts are unknown, but we believe his disappearance is suspicious."
Mr Chaplin, who would now be 34, lived in many Border towns including Wodonga, Wangaratta, Albury, Lavington, Gerogery and Wagga.
Police confirmed on Monday, he had not used any bank cards and there had been no other signs of life.
They described him as about 188 centimetres tall, of slim build, with facial hair and said while he is known to police, he isn't considered to be a serious offender.