Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Cold case heats up
WITH rare access, this compelling film interviews elderly couple Charles and Doris Clark, who were arrested on suspicion of murdering their son, who disappeared 28 years earlier.
Steven Clark, 23, vanished after a family walk with his mother Doris on December 28, 1992.
“The day that Steven went missing will be imprinted on my mind for ever,” says Doris, now 81. Charles, 78, adds: “Every morning I look out the window. I would be looking for him all the time and it’s still happening today.
“He’s somewhere... he’s not dead.” For 28 years Steven’s disappearance was classified as a missing person’s case, until September
2020 when Doris and Charles were arrested on suspicion of murder following a cold case review.
Ex-detective Mark Williams-thomas leads this film, investigating the experience of the North Yorkshire couple after the shock accusation.
From having their house searched and their garden dug up, to being confronted with media speculation, they talk to Mark about unfolding nightmare.
“I laughed when we were arrested,” admits Doris, who says she didn’t believe it was happening.
Mark also checks their in with retired senior police officer Julie Mackay, who remembers the case and offers her insight on the police investigation and the decision to accuse Steven’s parents so many years on.
But Charles says: “We’re still waiting for Steven to come home.”
Mark comments: “My approach was to be totally impartial, my questioning direct, as I unpicked their accounts and explored the possible scenarios around Steven’s sudden disappearance.
“It’s a compelling real-life story.”