Founder of Webroot goes missing

Steven Thomas co-founded Webroot Software in 1997

The co-founder of security firm Webroot Software has apparently gone missing in Hawaii.

Steven Thomas reportedly vanished from his hotel room in Waikiki on 30 June. Family and authorities fear that Thomas, who is bipolar, may have been delusional or suicidal at the time of his disappearance.

Thomas co-founded WebRoot in 1997 in Boulder, Colorado. The company became famous for its SpySweeper anti-spyware tools and was most recently credited with a 26.8 per cent share of the retail security market.

Thomas sold the company to a group of investors for $108m in 2004.

According to the Honolulu Star Bulletin, the 36 year-old was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder earlier this year, but had refused medication.

Family members told the paper that, in the days leading up to his disappearance, Thomas appeared to be suicidal and in a state of extremely fearful delusion.

Anyone on the island with information is being asked to contact the authorities.