Young, rich and missing 28 Howard Israel seemingly had everything to live for. He had a high-profile, high-paying job, two properties, was in love with his long-time girlfriend and enjoyed close and caring relationships with family and friends. But just over a month ago the 28-year-old former Sydney Grammar School prefect disappeared in mysterious circumstances. BRETT THOMAS and MATT CONDON report. 0 his shared dealer the Macquarie girlfriend a night cosy Howard Bank of Gina dinner June bullion Clapin, Israel with 11, close friend Gavin Isaacs and Mr Isaacs's fiancee, at the trendy innerSydney cafe, Bill and Toni's.

According to Mr Isaacs, 28 -a friend of Israel's since childhood -the dinner was a "friendly, chitchat" affair. It was an important night for Israel. It was the first time he and Gina had been out with Mr Isaacs since the couple had reunited after a 14-month split. And it was only hours before Israel was due to see a psychiatrist about recurring bouts of serious depression. "We thought he'd got a bit better.

We thought he'd picked up a bit and so did Mr Isaacs recalled. "The week before he had been very depressed, not really contented. "I thought his spirits were up. And he seemed to have improved his state of mind from what it had been in the previous few weeks." Another close friend, 27-year-old Greg Warhaftig, also saw Israel on that fateful night. They were workmates at Macquarie Bank, and Mr Warhaftig spotted Israel driving home in his old Volkswagen.

The pair stopped and chatted briefly. wound down the car window and spoke to him for a few minutes," Mr Warhaftig said. "I asked him if he was going to work the next day and he replied 'I don't think so'." That was the last time any of Howard Israel's close friends or family saw him. ESPITE numerous personal tigation Missing inquiries, by and Persons the a NSW major Unit Police inves- over the past month, Israel's whereabouts remain unknown. And as each day passes fears for his life increase.

What is known is that Israel's mind was in an unstable state and had been for some time. Israel's psychiatric appointment, the day following the dinner at Bill and Toni's cafe, didn't go well. His mother Suzie told The SunHerald it was recommended that her son be immediately admitted to the Wolper Jewish Hospital in salubrious Woollahra "for a But within hours of being admitted on the morning of June 12 Israel checked himself out. His mother, a well-known eastern ON THE TRAIL: Sen Const Jeff Emery and Sgt Peter Marcon of the Police Missing Persons Unit. He attended the exclusive Sydney Grammar School where he was made a school prefect and captain of the tennis team before going on to NSW University to study A high-school friend, journalist Scott Howlett, recalled the legendary Fourth XV rugby team of which Israel was halfback and captain.

was loud and very gregarious," Mr Howlett said. don't remember the team winning one game, because Grammar wasn't known for its rugby skills. I think the Fourths might have had one draw." After graduating from university Israel went on to work at Macquarie Bank, where he rose to the high- profile position of manager in the bullion division. Mr Allan Moss, deputy managing director of the bank, said Israel had joined as a trainee and subsequently excelled in the bullion division. was a very respected dealer," Mr Moss said.

"He was also very well liked." Israel's friends spoke of his extraordinary zest for life, and generosity to all those he met. "He was the friendliest, most open guy you'd ever come across," said Greg Warhaftig. lived with Howie for about six months at the beginning of the year, and we've travelled overseas together. virtually grew up together. You'd never come across a guy who could make friends so easily.

"He'd meet someone in the street and, the next thing, he'd invite them to his place for dinner." Even police who've been investigating the case have remarked how popular and well-liked Israel was. "He seems to be a very caring sort of fellow," said Sen Const Emery. "He's a real giver. If someone needs money or anything else, he'll give, give, give. "If the person was genuine, Mr Israel would certainly help them out.

"He was always worrying about other people maybe he was worrying too 'SRAEL'S friends and family, as I well were uting as to three the his major police, unstable all factors agree condition. contrib- there On February 22, Israel fulfilled a life-long dream to own a home by the ocean. CONTINUED PAGE 29 HOWARD ISRAEL: "My mind has snapped," he told suburbs identity, was overseas with Howard's best friend, Gavin her husband at the time. Isaacs, recalled similar conversaMrs Israel recalls receiving a tions: "Howie was losing touch with distressing telephone call from her reality as such. son before his appointment, telling "He said to me that something had her he had snapped inside his mind.

He kept She said she would return to saying that. Australia as soon as possible. But he "When the psychiatrist talked to told her to stay overseas and "look him, and said you've got to go into after hospital, he probably took that as an Israel's friends also recall subtle affirmation that something had warnings that something may have snapped in his head. been about to go wrong. "He probably thought it meant "He was very depressed.

He was institution for the rest of his life. And withdrawing more and more, and it he wasn't the type of person who was becoming difficult to talk to him would put his family and friends you couldn't talk to him," said Mr through hardship." Warhaftig. OLICE confirm Israel has mind has snapped' and 'you don't only the clothes he was kept on saying things like 'my vanished without trace- with understand'. ing and $50 in his pocket. He "Maybe he felt embarrassed by even left credit cards behind in his things like mental illness.

Maybe it luxury Tamarama apartment, as well had a strange effect, when the doctor as his car. said he should go into hospital." "It's a mystery disappearance," his mother. said Senior Constable Jeff Emery of the Missing Persons Unit. "He's just vanished." However, Mrs Suzie Israel revealed that her son had left a hand-written note in his apartment. According to Mrs Israel, the note stated that Israel no longer wanted to be a "burden" on the family.

"I think a few things failed, and he couldn't accept failures any more." she said. "I think life is a razor's edge and the more sensitive and caring you are, the more painful it is. "I couldn't begin to tell you of all his friends. And he looked after everybody. "He had friends who were poets, writers, millionaires." THE Israel friends out-going, picture is by that his popular painted of a of family and successful, Howard and generous young man.