Police may consider 'foul play' in Jeffrey Mason case

BY KEITH LACEY

Greater Sudbury Police admit they will soon have no choice but to consider foul play in the case of a Dowling man who hasn't been heard from in almost two weeks.

"We are at that point" where foul play is being considered in the case involving Jeffrey Malcolm Mason, 37, who was last seen on Wednesday, Nov. 15, said Sgt. Sheilah Weber of the Greater Sudbury Police, during a brief news briefing Tuesday afternoon at police headquarters.

Mason's Dowling home was found burned to the ground the morning of Nov. 16 around the same time his late-model Chevrolet Cavalier was found  burned on a trail off Lonsdale Ave. in Minnow Lake.

Police have deemed arson was involved in both the destruction of Mason's home and vehicle.

Weber said police don't believe Mason was involved in either arson.

Whenever a missing person has not been heard from for almost two weeks, investigators sit down and talk about all the information that has been gathered and go over all the evidence and tips provided, said Weber.

There comes a point where foul play has to be considered, she said.

The investigation continues as a missing person's case, but Weber admitted a consideration of foul play becomes a stronger possibility with each passing day.

Sudbury police have investigated leads which suggest Mason might have returned to the Calgary area, where he lived for several years before returning to the Dowling area a few years ago, said Weber.

"We have investigated the Calgary angle" and talked to one person who knew Mason, but there's no other information to suggest he's anywhere in western Canada, she said.

The investigation has included use of OPP helicopters and the Greater Sudbury Police tactical unit and OPP dive teams will likely soon be conducting some searches of local waterways, said Weber.

Mason hasn't  conducted any bank transactions since last taking money from his personal account on Nov. 15, said Weber.

Tips continue to pour in about the case and police continue to encourage anyone who might have information to call it in to police headquarters at 675-9171, said Weber.