Case Details

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This person was missing Missing Since 12/25/2006

Missing Since:

Missing Since 12/25/2006

Missing From:

Missing From Tampa, Florida

Classification:

Classification Endangered Missing

Gender:

Male

Race:

Race Pacific Islander

Date of Birth:

Date of Birth 01/15/1962 (63)

Age:

Age 44 years old

Height and Weight:

Height and Weight 5’8 – 6’1, 160 – 200 pounds

Clothing/Jewelry Description:

Clothing/Jewelry Description A silver-colored watch on his left wrist. Clothing unknown, but he usually wears a t-shirt, shorts and walking shoes or sneakers. He usually carries a backpack.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Distinguishing Characteristics Pacific Islander male. Black hair, brown eyes. Taku is of Maori descent; the Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. He has the following tattoos: a checkerboard pattern and circles on his upper right arm, a series of solid triangles with lines from elbow to wrist on his right arm, a zig-zag pattern from elbow to wrist on his left arm, a tribal design with swirling pattern on his legs from knee to thigh, a Celtic design on his lower back, and Gothic lettering on his upper back. His hair was shaved at the time of his disappearance. Taku is a native of New Zealand and speaks with a New Zealand accent, which sounds similar to a British accent. He may spell his first name “Lennid.”

Details of Disappearance:

Taku disappeared in Florida in late December 2006. He was last seen renting a black Chrysler convertible at the Tampa airport on Christmas Day.

After that, his credit card was used:

* **December 26:** To buy clothes at a Gap store. His family thinks he made this purchase.
* **Mid-January 2007:** To check into an expensive Orlando hotel. His family doubts this was him, as he usually stayed in budget places.

His rental car was found abandoned in a Florida forest on February 9th, after a controlled burn. The fire didn’t damage the car, but it destroyed any possible clues. There were no signs of a crime.

Taku was a teacher from England, visiting the US on vacation. He was supposed to return to work on January 3rd, but never showed up. His friends reported him missing. He had online profiles and may have used the internet to meet people.

Police looked for help from the gay community in Florida, as Taku was gay.

The case is unsolved. His family believes something bad happened to him. There’s some confusion about the exact date he was last seen – either Christmas Day or December 31st. He had eleven siblings in New Zealand.

Agency:

Altamonte Springs Police Department 407-571-8276

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