Missing letters hold key to mum
Daughter believes Ellen fled the country
The daughter of a teacher who disappeared 49 years ago believes letters from her mum could be the key to solving the mystery.
Mum-of-two Ellen Ruffle was last seen at the Motherwell home she shared with husband Norman on November 14, 1969.
After dropping off three- year- old Rosemary and 18- month- old son Graham at their granny’s home, Ellen, then 34, vanished without trace.
Graham – now 50 and terminally ill – pleaded for information on what happened to his mum so he can have closure before he dies.
Now Rosemary has revealed that she was told of letters her mum wrote to other relatives.
Speaking from her home in Johannesburg, South Africa, Rosemary, 52, said: “When my paternal grandmother died, my step-sister told me that letters from my mother were found in her house. I told the police and they investigated.
“I don’t know when they were dated or why she would communicate with my paternal grandmother when she never communicated with her own mother.
“Apparently, the letters were destroyed.”
Rosemary believes her mum may have fled and changed her identity – but she doesn’t understand why Ellen would have left her children behind.
Rosemary said: “I do believe my mum is now dead.
“But I don’t believe she was murdered. “But I may be wrong. “I’m a mother and I would die if I could never see my children again.
“To forgive her for leaving, I would need to know why she couldn’t make her way back to Graham and I. Not knowing is the absolute worst.”
In 2012, police began a new search for Ellen that focused on the back garden and a garage at the family’s former home, but nothing was found.
Norman was granted a divorce in 1975. Now 77, he lives with his second wife Senga in Melrose in the Borders. The couple refused to comment.
Police said: “Ellen Ruffle is still being treated as a missing person. We would urge anyone who believes they have information to make contact.”