Police appeal for information after 55-year-old Shane Ryan found dead on vacant Newcastle property

Police are appealing for public help as they investigate the death of a man whose body was found on a vacant property in Newcastle.

Officers were called to reports a body had been found at a property on Lake Rd about 12.30pm on August 19.

They arrived to find 55-year-old Shane Ryan dead.

A crime scene was established as police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Police have now released CCTV images of Ryan at a hotel in Singleton on July 31 in the hope of piecing together his movements in the weeks before his death.

Ryan is seen wearing a distinctive Holden HSV Racing jacket, blue jeans and brown boots.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall and of medium build, with a bald head, grey goatee and green eyes.

Police are urging anyone who saw or had contact with Ryan in the weeks before his death, or who has information about his movements, to contact Crime Stoppers.