Falmouth man missing; family hoping for the best
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Seventy-seven-year-old Hampden Estate distillery worker Dennis Mahoney has mysteriously disappeared. He has not been seen since he left his Vanzie Land, Falmouth home for work on Monday, September 22, leaving his family deeply worried but still holding out hope for his safe return.
His wife, Roselyn Mahoney, says that despite the two long weeks that have passed and the numerous unsuccessful searches, she refuses to give up hope.
“We don’t know what happened, but we still keeping the faith,” the distressed woman, a devout Seventh-day Adventist, told Observer Online during a telephone interview Monday.
A missing person flyer by the Jamaica Constabulary Force for Dennis Mahoney
“He has gone missing from the 22nd; this is the third Monday,” she added.
Last Wednesday, more than 50 people — including members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and area residents — came together to comb dense sections of Tilston, Wakefield, and nearby communities.
According to cops, canine units, drones, and military equipment were deployed during the extensive search.
“We went deep into the bushes searching for hours, but we still have not located him or any signs of anybody,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Peter Salkey said, noting that the operation began around 9:00 am and continued until 2:00 pm.
Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) comb dense sections of Tilston, Wakefield, and nearby communities in search of Dennis Mahoney.
He added that investigations are ongoing and that the search will continue as efforts intensify to locate the missing man.
On Monday, his distraught wife recounted the last time she saw him. She told Observer Online that on Sunday, September 22, when her husband came home from work, he said he would have to leave early the next morning to relieve his partner.
She said the following morning, between 8:00 and 9:00 am, she went on an errand in the town of Falmouth, leaving Mahoney making his usual juice. When she returned shortly before 11:00, he was gone, and she assumed he had left for work.
“By a few minutes to 6:00 pm, I was expecting him home,” she said, noting that he and his co-workers usually relieved each other early from the 2:00 to 10:00 shift.
Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) comb dense sections of Tilston, Wakefield, and nearby communities in search of Dennis Mahoney.
“Two minutes after six, one of his friends called and asked if Dennis was home. I said, ‘No, he left for work this morning, “she added.
The friend reportedly told her that someone said Mahoney never reached work. He later contacted the co-worker Mahoney was supposed to relieve, who said he had called Mahoney around 11:00 am and Mahoney answered, saying, ‘Boy, you know say me lost inna Tilston bush. Me soon come.’
Later that evening, another call came from his co-workers who said Mahoney still hadn’t shown up. Since then, there has been no word from him. Area residents’ search of the bushes shortly after he went missing turned up nothing.
“When he’s in that area, the phone doesn’t always pick up,” his wife said. “But he always finds a way to call if he’s running late. This time… nothing,” she bemoaned, her voice trailing off.
The family and the police are appealing to anyone who may have seen Mahoney or has information on his whereabouts to contact the Falmouth Police Station or the nearest police station.
Mahoney is of a brown complexion, medium build and about 185 centimetres (6 feet 1 inch) tall.