Fears grow for missing Sydney flight attendant

A popular gay flight attendant from Sydney’s east remains missing after he disappeared from his Randwick home during the evening of Australia Day last week.

Celebrities and sports stars have also now joined in the search for missing Virgin employee Benjamin Roper after the launch of a massive social media campaign by his friends and family following his disappearance about 7pm on Saturday, January 26.

Police told SX that Roper’s disappearance from his Prince Street home was completely out of character considering he had also left his car and other property like his mobile phone behind.

“At this stage he’s still missing and we’re continuing to appeal for assistance as, like his friends and family, we are very concerned for his welfare,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

Police have previously said Roper was in a “steady relationship” and was well-liked by his work colleagues.

Comedian and actress, Julia Morris, said over Twitter that Roper was a “family friend” and urged her followers to spread the news of his disappearance over social networks. 

“Another 24hours has gone by & Ben Roper is still missing,” Morris tweeted today.

Manly Sea Eagles footballer Anthony Watmough, whose wife Elle has worked alongside Roper, said he hoped the 32-year-old would be found safe and well soon.

“A big shout out to everyone who is helping to try find Elle’s old work friend,” Watmough tweeted. 

“Some [sic] many people have help in so many ways by just retweeting.”

Professional ironwoman Candice Falzon also used Twitter to share a photo of Roper and appeal for more information.

“Please retweet in the hope of finding Ben,” she tweeted. “He has been missing since Saturday.”

A Facebook page, ‘Help Us Find Benny’, has already attracted close to 3,000 'likes' as well as many messages from those concerned.

Roper is described as 180cm tall with a medium build and brown hair which is shaved on the sides. He has a number of distinctive tattoos, including a flame design on his upper right arm and the numerals 2035 – the postcode of beachside suburb Maroubra – on his back.

He was last seen wearing a white singlet, dark shorts and white thongs. It is also believed he had a pair of Dr Dre headphones with him on the night he went missing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Maroubra Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page at https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.