Brother of missing British journalist in Frankfurt Marathon campaign

Brother of British journalist - Michael Dixon, who vanished six years ago in Costa Rica - running Frankfurt marathon to help missing persons charity

LONDON, Oct. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Saturday (18 October) marks the 6th anniversary of Michael's disappearance in the seaside holiday town of Tamarindo.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151016/277715
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151016/277716

Evidence indicates he was the victim of violent crime.

But Costa Rica authorities and British police did little to investigate. They've now given up on the case, despite the family's long-standing appeals for assistance.

"I'm going to run in Frankfurt to raise money forMissing Peoplebecause families can only rely on themselves, or on charities like this, if their loved ones go missing abroad," David Dixon, Michael's brother said.

"Michael's case was grossly mishandled. So I'm also running to raise awareness of the issue. The British government needs better procedures to protect people when they travel."

The Frankfurt Marathon takes place in Germany on 25 October.

Missing Peopleis a registered charity in London, where David lives. Sponsors can donate via JustGiving.

Michael, who worked as editor of a US business magazine, walked out of his hotel one evening in Tamarindo and never came back.

Some 45,000 British people a year go to Costa Rica, considered a safe destination.

But at least 20 foreign nationals disappeared or were murdered in the country in past six years, prompting officialUKandUStravel warnings.

"It's never too late for someone to come forward if they know what happened to my son," Lynn Dixon, Michael's mother said.

"Things sometimes feel normal after all this time. But then, every day, I realise that nothing is normal. I don't want anybody else to go through what we're going through."

Media professionals:

For more information on the Michael Dixon case, go toHelp Find Michael Dixon Website

For quotes or comments from David Dixon, contact him via [e-mail]

For information on David Dixon's travel security app, Ten20, go toTen20 Website

For David's Facebook campaign, The International Missing People Group, go toIMPG Facebook Group