Missing Dietrich Scholz believed CIA was after him

THE mysterious disappearance of 72-year-old Dietrich Scholz is the topic of conversation in the Glenwood community. Since the story appeared in the Berea Mail and on the newspaper’s website earlier this week, a number of people have responded saying they recalled the eccentric old man.

Lisa Bradshaw said Mr Scholz had rented a flat from her for nearly two years and moved out when she moved overseas.

“He had the police around once convinced that the CIA had come in through the roof to steal his documents. He wanted originally to start a church but he was methodical in everything that he did. If he is not drawing any money it’s not a good sign, he got quite aggro with people when he was not in a good place and he could have been a target,” she said.

A staff member at Sunshine Pools recalls Mr Scholz as one of their clients. He said Scholz used to pop into the shop now and then with his trolley and bag, and after a few visits, opened up and spoke about his life.

“He told me about his life and that the CIA was following him. He said the CIA had been shooting a red lazer beam at him. Even more strange was his prophet booklets which he used to give me, he fancied himself as some sort of prophet,” he said.

He said Mr Scholz’s view on everything was freakish and that he spoke of being kept captive in Germany for a year where they did things to him which had left him with no bladder control, and that was why he had to carry a urine bag.

He said Mr Scholz would invite people to his home on a Sunday for tea, and to hear him prophesy.

“He seemed like a reasonable person but my oldest brother is schizophrenic and when he’s not on medication he can lose it. Either Mr Scholz was telling the truth that the CIA was tracking him down or he has lost the plot. Obviously no sane person would go to his house to hear him prophesy, but people with bad motives could,” he said.

He said he felt someone either took advantage of the situation and went over to Mr Scholz and did something to him, or “he lost the plot and left, and went somewhere else.”

“Things of value don’t mean much to schizophrenics, so maybe he did feel sorry for the man found living in his garage, and gave him the keys to his home. Who knows. I feel sorry for him as I think someone has taken advantage of him,” he said.