4338.208 · July 27, 2018 AD
Prominent Hobart Doctor Vanishes from Clinic
Police are appealing for information following the disappearance of Dr Glenda De Bruyn, a respected general practitioner at Hobart Family Doctor's Practice on Davey Street. Dr De Bruyn was last seen at the clinic on Wednesday, 25 July 2018, and has not been sighted since. Her husband, virologist Dr Pierre De Bruyn, confirmed she did not return home that evening. Investigators are treating the disappearance as suspicious.
By Melissa Liu | Health Reporter
Last updated 08:37 AEST, Friday 27 July 2018
Police are investigating the unexplained disappearance of a well-known Hobart general practitioner who vanished from her workplace on Wednesday afternoon.
Dr Glenda De Bruyn, 45, a GP at Hobart Family Doctor's Practice on Collins Street, was last seen by colleagues at approximately 4:30pm on 25 July. She failed to return to work the following day and has not made contact with family or staff since her disappearance.
Her husband, Dr Pierre De Bruyn, a virologist at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, told police his wife did not return home on Wednesday evening. He reported her missing on Thursday morning after attempts to reach her by phone were unsuccessful.
"Glenda is dedicated to her patients and her work. It is completely out of character for her not to come home or to miss an appointment," Dr De Bruyn said in a brief statement. "We are deeply concerned for her welfare and urge anyone with information to contact police immediately."
Dr De Bruyn had been treating patients presenting with symptoms of the viral infection currently affecting the Hobart community. Health authorities confirmed she had no known exposure to confirmed cases.
Practice manager Debbie Lidgard said staff were "shocked and worried" by the disappearance.
"Glenda has worked here for almost fifteen years. She's never missed a day without notice," Ms Lidgard said. "We're cooperating fully with police and praying for her safe return."
Receptionist Michelle Robinson, who was working at the front desk on Wednesday, said she observed nothing unusual about Dr De Bruyn's demeanour that afternoon.
"She seemed her normal self—professional, focused on her patients," Ms Robinson said.
However, Ms Robinson confirmed that two men in Army uniform arrived at the practice that afternoon requesting to speak with Dr De Bruyn on an urgent matter.
"I showed them through to her consulting room. I assumed they left a few minutes later, but I was in the back office photocopying at the time and didn't actually see them go," she said.
Tasmania Police confirmed they are aware of reports regarding the Army personnel but declined to comment further, stating the matter remains under investigation.
Dr De Bruyn is a prominent figure in Hobart's medical community and serves on the board of the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation. She is known for her humanitarian work, having undertaken several volunteer medical missions to remote communities in Borneo over the past decade.
Colleagues at the Royal Hobart Hospital described her as "compassionate" and "utterly committed to her patients."
Detective Senior Constable Alexander Stout of Tasmania Police said investigators were treating the disappearance as suspicious and appealed for public assistance.
"We are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen Dr De Bruyn on Wednesday afternoon, or who has any information about her current whereabouts," Det Sen Constable Stout said.
"We would also ask anyone who observed anything unusual in the vicinity of the Collins Street medical practice on Wednesday between 4pm and 6pm to come forward."
Dr De Bruyn is described as being of European appearance, approximately 180cm tall, with long blonds hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a white medical coat over dark clothing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on or Hobart Police.
