Fresh appeal for missing Manic Richey Edwards
AFRESH appeal has been issued in the case of missing Manic Street Preachers guitarist Richey Edwards – on the 25th anniversary of his disappearance.
The facts surrounding the case are well-known.
The guitarist and lyricist went missing on the day of a promotional trip to America, vanishing from his room at The Embassy Hotel in London.
Richey was 27 when he disappeared on February 1, 1995.
His car was later discovered near the Severn Bridge, fuelling the belief that the rock star – who had a history of self-harm, anorexia and alcoholism – had taken his own life.
His body was never found, but he was legally presumed dead in 2008.
Now, Missing Persons, the charity for whom Richey’s sister, Rachel
Edwards, has worked tirelessly, has issued a new appeal over his disappearance.
Missing People publicity co-ordinator 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.”
As alleged sightings of the musician have been reported in such places as Goa, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura through the decades, some credence has been given to the theory that he staged his own disappearance to escape his former troubled life.
It is a story that is wrapped in a rock’n’roll enigma which has endured throughout the years, but it’s also worth remembering that Richey was not just a rock star, he was a brother, a son and a friend.
Richey’s father died in 2013 and his mother last year.
Rachel has spent the intervening years since her brother’s disappearance raising awareness of the issues caused by a loved one disappearing and played a major part in the campaign to enact the Guardianship Law, which allows relatives to manage their missing person’s finances. The Act became law last year. A year ago a new book, Withdrawn Traces, published with the blessing of Richey’s sister, was published, presenting new clues that suggested the musician may have planned his disappearance.
Writing the foreword to the book, Rachel said: “I was 24 years old when I last saw my brother. 24 years have passed since the day that he went missing. I have been without him for half of my life.
“I am almost the same age that my mother was when her son disappeared.”
Her heartfelt words were all the more poignant given both Richey’s parents passed away not knowing what had become of their son.
The Metropolitan Police have previously stated: “Richey Edwards is still listed as a missing person. The case remains open and we welcome any information the public have.”