Walthamstow missing person Nathan Cole: Brother acts in reconstruction as divers join search

The brother of a missing man has helped stage a reconstruction of his last known steps on the night he disappeared.

Nathan Cole went missing near Banbury Reservoir, Walthamstow, on the night of January 21 and divers have joined the search.

The 32-year-old lives in the Notting Hill area but grew up in Highams Park. He is a pharmacy graduate and a former science teacher who recently began work in the finance department of the London School of Economics (LSE).

Today (February 8), younger brother Luke Cole, 27, acted out the route Nathan is thought to have taken on the night he went missing, based on CCTV footage.

The Met Police’s Detective Inspector Fiona Van Kampen said at the scene: “Really, we haven’t got a clue where Nathan is. We’ve had no breakthroughs whatsoever.

“No indication of Nathan’s specific whereabouts, nor the possessions he had, nor of the phone, should it have become detached from him.”

She added: “If Nathan would’ve gone into the canal, the chances that he would still be alive would be very remote.”

Police believe Nathan was planning to go to a gig in Camden, but did not end up going.

They said he bought four cans of lager in Blackhorse Lane at 10.05pm before boarding a 158 bus towards Chingford.

He got off by Walthamstow Academy at just before 11pm and walked along Billet Road 10 minutes later.

The reconstruction will be broadcast and the family hopes it might trigger the memory of anybody who saw Nathan on the day he disappeared.

Nathan’s sister, Hannah Cole, 30, said: “It’s utterly tormenting the uncertainty of where Nathan is for us. He’s completely vanished.

“It’s heart breaking not knowing whether he’s alive or we’re going to get that phone call … just being in that limbo. It’s very painful for the family.”

Nathan’s father, Eamonn Cole, 61, said: “It’s completely out for character for Nathan. He’s never been out of touch more than 24 hours without us knowing, so that's why it’s so disconcerting and upsetting.”

DI Van Kampen said: “We’re hoping and praying that Nathan is found alive, especially for the family who are absolutely distraught.”

Nathan was wearing a khaki jacket and “John Lennon glasses”, and carrying a black backpack containing a DJI mini 2 drone and possibly a bag of American Spirit tobacco, which is not widely available in the UK.

Anyone who sees Nathan should call 999. Anyone with other information can call 101, giving the reference 23MIS002577.

Information can also be provided to the Missing People charity on 116 000.