THE family of a missing Derby grandad said last night they feared for his life after he said he no longer wanted to be a burden to them.
Leslie Steemson, 59, left his home in Manor Road on Monday and his family believe he is suffering from depression after being made redundant two years ago.
He was last seen on CCTV footage on Wednesday in a shop at Wirksworth at about 2.40pm.
Mr Steemson's daughter, Jackie Hemstock, said he suffers from a heart condition and is diabetic but has left home without any medication, money or belongings.
She said: "I'm just absolutely distraught.
"He looks very poorly on the footage and I fear the knock at the door to say a body has been found even more now.
"If that happened then it would feel like life is over.
"The CCTV is positive but it makes finding him even more urgent because of how ill he looks.
"What has happened is devastating and I'm really scared because he has left without his medication.
"It's the worst-case scenario, him not having it.
"He has left a message in which he said he does not want to burden us any longer which is absolutely ridiculous. We really want him back.
"He said he wanted to leave his iPad to my children."
Teaching assistant Jackie, 37, said her father's life changed when he was made redundant from Best Buy electrical store at Kingsway Retail Park in November 2012.
Jackie said that was when the change started in her father, who had enjoyed boating, DIY and gardening.
She said: "He felt he had a job for life there selling electrical goods.
"He really loved it and it suited his jovial personality because he got along with people so well.
"But since he was made redundant he totally changed. He was very quiet and just stayed in the house.
"He would not admit it was depression but it probably is." Jackie said her children, 13-year-old Nathan, 12-year-old Sydney and Morgan, nine, have all been hit by the news.
She said: "They are absolutely distraught and we all just want him home safely.
"They think the world of him and really loved spending time with him."
Jackie said her mum, Mr Steemson's wife, Karen, has also been left devastated by his disappearance.
Social media has played a big part in the search operation.
Jackie said: "The support network of friends and family have been a huge help.
"The police in their search operation have been fantastic.
"My message to anybody looking is please keep your eyes out please if you can."
Mr Steemson is 5ft 5ins tall, medium build, with short, mousey brown hair and a moustache.
He was wearing a black jacket and dark training shoes.
A Derbyshire police spokesman said: "We appeal to him to contact us and come forward to let us know he is safe and well.
"If anybody believes they do see him, please contact us on 101."
