The disappearance of 54-year-old Elias Pantazis in Metamorfosi, Greece, continues to puzzle authorities and supporters, with friends intensifying efforts to find the homeless man more than three months after he vanished.
Pantazis, who had returned to Athens from Sydney and was trying to rebuild his life while living in makeshift accommodation, was last seen on January 21 during severe weather conditions.
His bicycle, described by friends as something he “never parted with,” was later found abandoned near his shelter, raising concerns about what may have happened.
Friends and volunteers who supported him through a Viber group called “Ilias’ Friends,” described him as deeply religious, gentle and well-liked in the local community.
Witnesses said he regularly visited a nearby church, helped locals with odd jobs and relied on community support for food and occasional hotel stays during extreme weather.
Several people told Greek television program Light in the Tunnel that Pantazis had recently become fearful and withdrawn. One local garage owner said he had asked for cars to be parked tightly around his shelter because “he was very scared, without knowing why.”
Before disappearing, Pantazis sent an emotional message to his support group describing feelings of isolation and claiming some people connected to the church had begun distancing themselves from him.
“They kicked you out,” he recalled one person telling him.
A close friend said he last saw Pantazis around 8am on January 21 in heavy rain and freezing temperatures.
Pantazis reportedly mentioned he may go to a nearby hotel for shelter, but searches at local hotels, hospitals and churches have found no trace of him.
Friends say Pantazis had endured significant personal hardship, including homelessness, family breakdowns and health problems, but “never complained” despite his circumstances.
Police investigations remain ongoing as supporters continue searching for answers into what they describe as a complete mystery.
Source: Huffington Post Greece.
