By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have released the four persons they were questioning in connection with the disappearance of an Immigration Officer and his girlfriend in Andros.

Sean Gardiner, 49, and Tishka Braynen, 28, have been missing for more than week.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson, the persons brought in from Andros were released yesterday morning.

“We let them go. It was nothing significant, we spoke to them and tried to find out if they knew anything, but we released them. Right now we are trying to develop the leads we have. There have been a lot of rumours, but we are still treating this case as missing persons,” he said.

“We are still trying to determine what happened, we have bits and pieces here and there that we are trying to put together.”

Braynen, of Cargill Creek, and Gardiner who lived in Love Hill, both in Central Andros, were reported missing around 1:45pm last Sunday.

Mr Gardiner, an Immigration officer, was recently assigned to the island by his Department in Nassau.

Gardiner’s government issued vehicle, The Tribune understands, was cleaned and left little evidence or leads to be found when authorities made the discovery.

Police also found a bullet in the washing machine of Gardiner’s home, where Braynen’s car was parked.

The Department of Immigration, yesterday in a press release, said they were saddened to hear of Gardiner’s disappearance.

“The Department of Immigration is deeply saddened by the news of its missing officer Shane Gardiner who was stationed as the officer in charge of Fresh Creek, Andros. This is his second time working in that capacity. He also has previously worked as the officer in charge of North Andros hence he was familiar with the area and people of both North and Central Andros,” the statement said.

“Officer Gardiner is an outstanding officer who has demonstrated impeccable character and given outstanding and loyal service to this department over the past 27 years . The Department is continuing its prayers with hopeful hearts that the outcome is a positive one.”

The families of the missing persons have declined to comment.

Investigations continue.