PRODUCER CAUGHT IN 419 GOES 404

Producer Christian Julian Irwin, who has worked with Bowie, David Crosby and De La Soul amongst others has disappeared. Friends and family are worried about Irwin's safety after two phone calls in which he claimed he was being chased by people who "might kill him".

Fellow producer Fortunato Procopio - who received one of the calls - said that Irwin had got involved in a Nigerian internet scam and panicked when he recieved a cheque for USD50,000, apparently from Nigerian conmen.

"We're considering the worst at this point because he hasn't been heard from," said sheriff's Capt. Ray Peavy. "Unfortunately, it could very well be a homicide."

The disappearance is out of character for Irwin, who friends describe as a "gentle, stable person."

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