Sam Thompson’s pride and joy, his bright orange 2016 Ford Mustang, was found dumped in bushland near Byron Bay on March 9 — two days after he disappeared.

Samuel Thompson was last seen driving away from his apartment in Albion in the city’s northern suburbs in his bright orange 2016 Ford Mustang on March 7.

Police are investigating possible links to “unsavoury characters” but friends told news.com.au these were “horrible rumours”, describing Mr Thompson as a “wonderful person” who was “very, very loved”.

Mr Thompson’s parents reported him missing last week after finding his dog abandoned in his flat — something they insist he would never willingly allow to happen. His mobile phone and social media accounts have not been used since his last contact with family on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old childcare worker’s last known movements were captured on CCTV and he appears unhurried and relaxed in the footage.

In video released to the public by police, Mr Thompson is seen leaving his flat, taking the lift downstairs, strolling to his car parked in the garage and driving off at 9.18am.

Police believe the eye-catching vehicle — which has the personalised Queensland registration of “SAMMO” — is the key to solving the mystery of his whereabouts.

Murder fears: A team of 40 detectives from the Queensland’s missing persons and homicide squads are searching for childcare worker Samuel Thompson, 22, who vanished on March 7.Source:Facebook

Missing childcare worker Samuel Thompson, 22, (second from right) with his family. Picture: FacebookSource:Facebook

Mr Thompson during a recent trip to Venice. The 22-year-old childcare worker has been missing since March 7 and police fear he may have been murdered. Picture: FacebookSource:Facebook

The car was spotted in the carpark of Deep Water Bend Reserve at Bald Hills at about 1pm that day and was still there at midnight. Police and SES workers searched the popular fishing spot for two days over the weekend but found nothing of interest.

The Mustang was next sighted at Wooyung near Byron Bay at 7.30pm on Wednesday March 8 before police found it abandoned in bushland in the same suburb on Thursday March 9.

Police are trying to establish how it got from Queensland to northern NSW and are urging anyone who spotted it on the roads between Tuesday and Thursday last week when it was dumped to come forward.

Queensland Detective Inspector Tim Tresize said around 40 detectives were now working on the case, with several leads being pursued, including the possibility Mr Thompson — or friends of his — had “unsavoury connections” who may have had something to do with his disappearance.

“The circumstances of Sam’s disappearance are quite concerning in that he’s just vanished off the face of the earth,” Insp Tim Trezise told reporters on Monday.

“Not to mention the fact that his motor vehicle has turned up abandoned, unlocked and with the windows down, in some bushland across the border in NSW is suspicious. It’s highly suspicious and the fact that he hasn’t surfaced yet is quite concerning.

“Sam’s disappearance is totally out of character and we now suspect foul play is involved. It’s of grave distress to the family. We’ve got 40 detectives on the case doing everything we can to locate Sam and give them some answers.”

Samuel Thompson's distinctive orange Mustang, pictured above with his dog, was found abandoned near Byron Bay on March 8 after several mysterious sightings. Picture: FacebookSource:Facebook

Police and SES workers search for Samuel Thompson at Deep Water Bend Reserve at Bald Hills, Queensland after his car was seen there between 1pm and midnight on Tuesday March 7. Picture Mark CallejaSource:News Corp Australia

Police and SES workers search for Samuel Thompson at Deep Water Bend Reserve at Bald Hills, Queensland after his car was seen there between 1pm and midnight on Tuesday March 7. Picture Mark CallejaSource:News Corp Australia

News.com.au attempted to contact Mr Thompson’s parents, Bruce and Debbie, but they were too distressed to respond. Two of his close friends, however, spoke on condition of anonymity and expressed concern over unfounded rumours circulating on social media concerning Mr Thompson’s alleged link to drugs.

“We just want Sam home safely and for now the police are doing the best that they can,” one said.

“People are being very cruel and certainly making allegations that are far from true. We all love and miss him so much and just want him home.”

Police have received a number of tips from the public after releasing footage of Mr Thompson and his car. Insp Tresize had asked the public to call in any possible sightings of the car after Tuesday March 7 and was rewarded with scores promising leads.

“We’ve had a lot of information from the public and a lot of information from CrimeStoppers,” Insp Tresize said.

Missing childcare worker Sam Thompson in an undated Facebook postSource:Facebook

Samuel Thompson in a recent Facebook post. The image is being circulated by police.Source:AAP

Missing childcare worker Samuel Thompson, 22, during his European travels in 2016Source:Facebook

“We’ve been contacted by a motorcyclist who saw Sam’s car between 10am and 11am on Sandgate Rd on Tuesday (March 7). The rider had a helmet with a dashcam on it and we’ve got some footage of Sam’s car as a result.”

Police plan to release the new footage later this afternoon.

In September last year, Mr Thompson was the victim of an unsolved robbery at his Albion apartment during which thieves made off with several designer watches, shoes and bags as well as his prized Mustang. The car was later recovered but the other items remain missing and Mr Thompson wrote a Facebook post about the incident, asking mates to keep an eye out for the missing objects.

Insp Tresize said detectives were also investigating whether the robbery had any link to his disappearance.

Anyone who has information about Samuel Thompson’s whereabouts or saw his orange Ford Mustang with the personalised Queensland registration “SAMMO” is urged to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.