The presumed murder of Canadian backpacker Gordon Bruce Rogers at Beachport remains unsolved after 53 years.

The 20-year-old was last seen alive at Beachport at 3.30am on August 2, 1970.

He was reported as a missing person at Beachport Police Station at 10.30am the same day by a friend and work colleague.

Mr Rogers was a resident of Saskatchewan, Canada and was on a working holiday in Australia after arriving in Sydney on March 28, 1970 on a 12 month visa.

After travelling for a short time he was employed by the Woods and Forest Department (now Forestry SA) as a labourer.

He intended to work for this State Government agency for six weeks before travelling to New Zealand.

On the day of his disappearance, Mr Rogers had been drinking with the friend who subsequently reported him missing, and had attended a house-warming party in Beachport.

The friend stated that he left the party to take his girlfriend home and asked another male to take Mr Rogers home.

The other male stated that he took another female home first and when he returned to the party Mr Rogers was no longer there. Despite an extensive search Mr Rogers has not been seen or heard of since.

As recently as 1995, police undertook searches at Beachport in a bid to find Mr Rogers and his disappearance has become a sad chapter in local folklore.

Persons with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.