THE father of a brilliant young doctor who vanished without trace almost four years ago, has died without discovering his son's fate.

Professor David Choyce, 82, died peacefully at home in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, after a long battle with cancer.

A leading consultant ophthalmologist, Professor Choyce's life was shattered in October 1997 when his son, Matthew, vanished from his home in Newcastle.

Dr Choyce, an old Etonian and Oxford graduate, was married to fellow doctor Jane Noble and his disappearance was all the more mysterious, coming just weeks after the couple discovered they were expecting their first child.

Believed to be suffering from stress caused by his job as a casualty doctor on Wearside, he disappeared from home early one morning.

His Renault Clio car was found six miles away at Tyne-mouth, but there was no trace of Dr Choyce. A long rambling note was found inside.

When Dr Noble gave birth to son, Iain Matthew, in early 1998 she hoped the news would reach her husband and encourage his return home.

But, despite regular national appeals from the family and the National Missing Persons Helpline, Dr Choyce has never been found and his wife has since moved to Australia.

Prof Choyce died on Wednesday. He leaves a wife, Diana and two other sons, Jonathan and Gregory