Mark Jones said yesterday his family feared the investigation in Hughenden into the disappearance of Tony Jones was a ``wild goose chase''.

He said they had been kept in the dark about the reported sightings and the information that had led police to set up a crime scene at the Grand Hotel and the Hughenden slaughter yard.

Mr Jones said he believed his brother was picked up by someone on the night he went missing, November 3, 1982, and was killed.

He spoke to Tony that day when his brother made a reverse call to the family home in Perth.

Mr Jones said the latest leads suggested Tony had been in Hughenden nine days later.

``It makes absolutely no sense to us that Tony would have been still alive and kicking (nine days later),'' he said.

Mr Jones said he had been hitchhiking prior to his disappearance, but not at night.

However, he found out his brother Tim was in Mount Isa and had lost his bank book and had no money.

``Tony was surprised to hear that he was there and was concerned he was there with no money and no ID.

``There were a number of sightings in the Hughenden area but these were from November 12, nine days later.

``They seem unlikely because what the hell was he doing for nine days with no money.'' 

Mr Jones said it seemed unlikely his brother would have been at the Grand Hotel in Hughenden because he was concerned about his brother, he told his family he didn't have any money and he hadn't accessed his bank account or collected a dole cheque that would have been available on November 5.

He said family members had put their life on hold after Tony went missing in a bid to find answers into his disappearance.

Mr Jones said his family believed from early on that Tony was dead.

``We think that Tony got a lift that night, the 3rd of November, and that was his last lift - he was murdered by that person or persons who picked him up that night.''

 Mr Jones said he could not understand why police had not contacted the family to try and verify the reported new sightings.

``There have been so many amazing stuff-ups in this case that we don't have any confidence.

``The sightings, for goodness sake, we'll tell you in five seconds if its got any validity or not.''

Police involved with the investigation did not return a call made by the North West Star at the time of going to print.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au