Still hope for Manics’ Richey
With the band in 1991 and, right, sister Rachel Edwards
A NEW appeal has been made to find missing Welsh rock star Richey Edwards, on the 25th anniversary of his disappearance.
The Manic Street Preachers’ troubled guitarist and lyricist went missing, aged 27, on February 1, 1995.
He disappeared hours before the indie quartet were due to go on a promotional trip to America, after leaving his room at the Embassy Hotel, in London.
His car was later discovered close to the Severn Bridge, near Bristol, fuelling the belief that the musician – who had a history of self-harm, anorexia and alcoholism – had taken his own life.
His body was never found and he was legally presumed dead in 2008. Now, Missing Persons, the charity for which Richey’s sister Rachel Edwards has worked since she lost her brother, has issued a new appeal.
The organisation’s Kate Graham said: “Richard, if you are reading this, please call or text us on our free phone number, 116 000. It’s confidential and we can’t trace your call.
“We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe. The helpline is here to support people who are missing – or thinking of going missing – and their loved ones who are left behind.” Over the years, alleged sightings of the musician – who penned the band’s bleak The Holy Bible album – have been reported in places such as Goa, in India, and Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands.
This has fuelled the theory that Richey, whose band is now led by James Dean Bradfield, may have staged his disappearance to escape his turbulent life. His sister said: “I was 24 when I last saw my brother and 24 years have passed since the day he went missing. I have been without him for half of my life.
“I am almost the same age my mother was when her son disappeared.” Both of Richey’s parents passed away not knowing what became of their son.
The police file remains open and the Met Police have previously said: “Richey Edwards is still listed as a missing person. The case remains open and we welcome any information.”
Last year, the musician, from Blackwood, Caerphilly, was one of 21 missing people whose portraits were included in the UnMissable exhibition in London.
The show was conceived and curated by artist Ben Moore, whose brother Tom has been missing since 2003.
Tell us what you think: