Urgent hunt for missing woman, 40, who vanished in broad daylight near quiet seaside town as witnesses urged to call 999
AN urgent search has been launched for a missing woman who's vanished from a quiet seaside town.
Samantha, 40, was last seen in the Highbridge area of Somerset on Friday.
In a post on its social media, Avon and Somerset Police said: "We're concerned for her welfare.
"We're appealing for the public's help to locate Samantha who's missing from the Highbridge area."
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Samantha is believed to have links to Brean and Burnham-on-Sea.
Anyone who sees her or has information about her whereabouts is asked to call 999 quoting reference number: 5225231670.
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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
My dad Ian Huntley sends me dark letters from jail & haunts every second of my life – I can't bear looking in the mirror
Daughter of Soham killer reveals how she is even terrified of meeting strangers due to their probing questions - and why she has written to him one last time DEVIL'S DAUGHTER My dad Ian Huntley sends me dark letters from jail & haunts every second of my life – I can't bear looking in the mirror LOOKING in the mirror each morning, Samantha Bryan can barely stand it as she sees the eyes of a murderer staring back. As the traumatised daughter of Soham killer Ian Huntley, just getting through each day is a struggle as she discovers dark new details about her dad and receives twisted letters from him in jail. 8 Samantha Bryan is the daughter of killer Ian Huntley Credit: Glen Minikin 8 Evil Huntley has written to Samantha from his cell Credit: Rex Features 8 The sicko murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002 Credit: Collect Desperate for answers over what drove the former school caretaker to kill 10-year-old girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, Samantha, 28, sent her father a letter over a year ago asking to meet him. Out of the blue, months later, in neat, black biro he wrote back, heartlessly accusing her of "insincere motives", adding: 'You are still my daughter for whom I have much love. With Love, Ian'. Care worker Samantha, of Cleethorpes, North East Lincs, has now written to her 'monster' dad one last time asking to meet, explaining it would help her to process a lifetime of trauma that has left her struggling with anxiety and depression. Speaking to The Sun for our Meeting a Monster series, she says: 'When I first read Ian's letter I was angry, frustrated and upset. "He told me he loved me as his daughter. 'I felt, 'you have no right to say that'. 'At the time it was so difficult to read. I felt so many emotions. 'All I could think about was how many times over the years he's wished me well but he's still denying that one thing that could really help me move forward. 'How can he say that he loves me when he has not done the one thing that will allow me to move forward with my life? 'Which is to finally reveal the truth. 'I hoped he would agree to meet me. I have written one last time to ask for that. It would really help me to process everything and to try to move forward.' Why I want to meet my monster dad Ian Huntley Samantha was 14 years old when she discovered who her father was after she was asked to research "notorious crimes" at school, and stumbled across a pixilated photograph of herself and her mother on Google. In the aftermath of this revelation, she turned to drink for a year aged 17 and was taken to the brink of a breakdown. More than a decade on, she is still haunted "every day" by the murders, which shocked the nation and remain among the most notorious in British criminal history. Samantha says: 'Being the biological daughter of Ian Huntley has impacted my life in ways not many people would understand. 'I've dealt with severe anxiety, depression. I've been in and out of therapy for years. 'I've struggled a lot to come to terms with who I am and where I come from, who Ian is and what he's done. 'It's something that haunts me daily. I think about it all the time and I don't think it's ever something that will leave me. 'Every time I look in the mirror I see how much I look like him. I have his eyes. 8 Huntley worked as a caretaker in the school both girls attended Credit: Alamy 8 The murderer has written chilling letters to his daughter Credit: Supplied 'Someone put up a photo of me next to his online and that's when I realised the similarities. 'People often say to me: 'I know your face from somewhere'. 'My heart sinks when they do, as I know they are referring to him, but they just can't place it. I just say: 'No we haven't met before' but so often they look puzzled. 'I think I have other traits from that side of the family as I'm also the only one in my family that has asthma. It's so hard to be the child of what everyone says is a monster... I know I'm a good person but at night that haunts me 'I found an article talking about his medical history online as I wanted to see if there was anything I should be worried about and I read that he has asthma too. 'That took me to a dark place. 'I had periods of despair where I have struggled with the fact of who my biological father is and that the only thing I know about him is what I've read - and what my mum has told me and that is that he's a monster.' Mum's suffering Samantha's mother Katie first met Huntley when she was a 15-year-old schoolgirl, running away from home to live with him against her parents' wishes. Their relationship descended into violence and he subjected her to humiliation - including making her eat cat food - and rape, before Samantha was born. Katie left him for good when she was pregnant with Samantha and has always told her daughter that becoming pregnant saved her from his abuse. Samantha admitted her mum does not want her to meet him, but has promised to support her in her decision. 8 Samantha's mother Katie Bryan left Huntley after he abused her Credit: Glen Minikin 8 Huntley was sentenced to life with a minimum of 40 years Credit: PA:Press Association 8 His girlfriend Maxine Carr was convicted of perverting the course of justice Credit: Cambridgeshire Police She said: 'When you look so much like someone you desperately want to know there is something good in them. 'I know I don't have evil in me. There is no way to condone what he has done. All I want from Ian is a conversation. 'Even if he doesn't want to talk about the events of that day, I want to see him for who he is. 'My mum's side of the family are amazing people and I'm so lucky to have been brought up around the people that I have. 'I want to know where that other half of me comes from. I want to know that it's not all bad, it's not all evil and that there is even just a glimmer of something good there. 'It's so hard to be the child of what everyone says is a monster. 'I know I'm a good person but at night that haunts me.' But that seemed to contradict it all...I just couldn't fathom why he could do such a thing Samantha reveals the catalyst that led her to make one last attempt to meet Huntley was the death in jail of a killer called Bradley Murdoch, who murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio in 2001. She said: 'He took his secret to the grave. I couldn't face that if that were to happen here.' Just a few weeks ago Samantha was also shown The Sun's exclusive story that Huntley had been wearing Holly and Jessica's football tops in his cell. She tells us: 'It brought it all up again. I was sickened. 'He previously wrote to me hinting at how bad he felt. But that seemed to contradict it all. "I just couldn't fathom why he could do such a thing. "I just thought of Holly and Jessica's parents because if I felt bad, what on earth would they be thinking? "I was upset for weeks and couldn't sleep as it's just so devastating."I was upset for weeks and couldn't sleep as it's just so devastating. 'This has been a constant shadow in my life.'
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Urgent hunt for missing woman, 40, who vanished in broad daylight near quiet seaside town as witnesses urged to call 999
FRANTIC SEARCH Urgent hunt for missing woman, 40, who vanished in broad daylight near quiet seaside town as witnesses urged to call 999 AN urgent search has been launched for a missing woman who's vanished from a quiet seaside town. Samantha, 40, was last seen in the Highbridge area of Somerset on Friday. In a post on its social media, Avon and Somerset Police said: "We're concerned for her welfare. "We're appealing for the public's help to locate Samantha who's missing from the Highbridge area." Advertisement Samantha is believed to have links to Brean and Burnham-on-Sea. Anyone who sees her or has information about her whereabouts is asked to call 999 quoting reference number: 5225231670.
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I was abused by teacher aged 12 before 9 men from grooming gang raped me weeks later in 18hr ordeal… I was easy pickings
The brazen predators picked her up outside a police station where she had tried to report another attack RAPE HELL I was abused by teacher aged 12 before 9 men from grooming gang raped me weeks later in 18hr ordeal… I was easy pickings ALMOST 20 years on, Samantha Walker-Roberts is still haunted by the memories of what happened to her during her childhood. Aged 12, she spent over a year hiding indoors after being groomed online by ex-teacher Paul Waites, 34, who went on to rape her in a supermarket car park - but that was just the start of her ordeal. Advertisement 8 Samantha Walker-Roberts was raped by a former teacher aged 12 - and just weeks later she fell into the hands of a paedophile ring of nine men 8 Paul Waites groomed Samantha online before luring her into a car park and raping her Credit: GMP Three weeks later she fell into the hands of a paedophile ring of nine men, who took it in turns to rape her 12 times, in 18 hours. Samantha was passed around cars and houses in Oldham, Lancs, and was so terrified the predators would strike again if she ran into them, she became a prisoner in her own home. She lived in constant fear of being attacked and when she did finally find the courage to go outdoors, she changed her hair colour weekly so she wouldn't be recognised. Advertisement Only two of her attackers were ever brought to justice. Now, she says girls like her must be better protected - and is working with the government's inquiry into the decades-long grooming gangs scandal, announced in June. Samantha says: 'It haunts me to think these men are out there walking the streets. Change is crucial. 'Children are still being groomed. We must stop it, and the scars last a lifetime - I am living proof of that. 'At the time, I saw it as a terrible coincidence that I was attacked by so many men, just weeks apart. Advertisement 'Now, I know that I was targeted because I was vulnerable - I was identified as easy pickings. It is not too late for justice. 'I didn't know the difference between abuse and love. 'I was so brainwashed by Waites, I even called him for support after the first sexual assault by the gang.' Cops found me being raped by illegal immigrant at 14 but put me in handcuffs, they let grooming gangs abuse me for years Samantha, now 31, carried her trauma alone throughout her teenage years and was so terrified of coming face to face with any one of her attackers again – most of whom were never traced – she contemplated suicide. She was 12 when she was groomed online by Waites through a networking site called Teen Chat. Advertisement Samantha recalls being drawn in by his "caring and understanding" nature, and soon found herself confiding in him. She says: 'When Waites contacted me, he said he was 18. I told him I was 13, because I wanted to sound grown-up. It never occurred to me he was lying about his own age. 'I was unhappy at school and at home. I was waiting for tests for ADHD and autism, and I felt I didn't fit in anywhere. Paul seemed like a true friend. We swapped numbers, and I'd speak to him every day. "Over the next few weeks, we got to know each other, though Paul was always more interested in talking about me than himself. 'He talked me into sending him photos, and I was so scared of losing him as a friend that I agreed.' Advertisement You're Not Alone EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, HUMEN Mind, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, 116 123 Waites sent Samantha a photo of himself, naked from the waist up and although he looked older than he claimed he was, in her innocence, she didn't question his age. He managed to convince Samantha to meet him, promising her happiness as his girlfriend. In August 2006, they met in secret at a supermarket car park in Oldham. Samantha had been receiving social services support because of problems at home and at school. She says she confided in a social worker about her meeting, but claims she wasn't believed. Advertisement 'I was virtually a prisoner in my own home and I became suicidal. I made several attempts on my life.' Samantha Samantha says: 'Her reply made me think I was better off keeping things to myself. 'I had doubts about meeting Waites, but I went ahead because I was scared of annoying him. 'He told me to keep it all secret. Looking back, he arranged everything so that nobody would be suspicious. 'But I just thought he was being helpful. We sat in his fancy sports car in the car park and talked.' 8 Shakil Chowdhury, then 39, was jailed in 2007 for six years after admitting six counts of rape, serving only three years in prison Credit: GMP Advertisement 8 Devastated that her other attackers were spared, Samantha spent her teenage years severely traumatised It was during a second meeting that Waites sexually assaulted Samantha, and on the third, he raped her. She says: 'I was forced to go through with it. 'Afterwards, I ran away, retching against a pillar at the bus station. I was so confused. I didn't understand why he'd treat me like that if he loved me.' After the horror attack, traumatised Samantha visited a sexual health clinic. Advertisement She says that, had the authorities stepped in during her clinic visits, they could've prevented what happened to her next. Three weeks on, Samantha, still aged 12, was offered a lift by two strangers. She says: 'I was in a churchyard with my friends, and we were sharing a bottle of cider. I wasn't used to alcohol, so I quickly got drunk. 'I was sexually assaulted by a man who asked me for a cigarette. 'I went to the police station, but they told me to go home and come back with an adult when I was sober. I felt desperate, as though nobody cared about me. Advertisement 'When two men outside the police station offered me a lift, I accepted, because it seemed life couldn't get any worse.' Of all my attackers, Waites terrified me the most because he was so calculated and cold. I have no doubt he is a serious risk to all children. Samantha Samantha had fallen into the hands of sexual predators, and over the next 18 hours, she was passed from one group to another. 'In the final house, where I was raped repeatedly, I was taken into a child's bedroom, with a bumblebee pattern on the light shade and a kid's duvet,' she recalls. 'It breaks my heart to think there were children living in that environment.' Yet only one of the gang ever faced justice. Advertisement 8 Samantha as a toddler during happier times 8 Samantha, now a mum-of-three, pictured with her son Credit: Supplied Shakil Chowdhury, then 39, was jailed in 2007 for six years after admitting six counts of rape, serving only three years in prison. Devastated that her other attackers were spared, Samantha spent her teenage years severely traumatised. She says: 'I couldn't leave the house, I had to stop going to school. Advertisement 'I had a home tutor, but my concentration was really poor. I began dyeing my hair and wearing a lot of makeup to change my appearance in case I ever bumped into them. 'Social workers tried to encourage me to return to school, but I couldn't. I got a home tutor, and then 18 months later, I was given a place at a specialist unit. 'I had a therapist who persuaded me to go out with her, in her car. But when we reached the town centre, where the first assaults had happened, I'd have a panic attack. 'I was virtually a prisoner in my own home, and I became suicidal. I made several attempts on my life.' YOU HAVE NOT DEFEATED ME In 2012, when Samantha was 18, she met her first serious boyfriend Steven Walker online, and confided in him. Advertisement She began to rebuild her life, and together they campaigned for justice for survivors of grooming gangs. Together, they launched: 'You have not defeated me', a campaign which demanded more support and understanding for grooming victims. That same year, Samantha began work on an inquiry into localised grooming, later returning with Steven to the street where she was raped. She gathered evidence to prove that other children had been exploited at the same location. Three years later, Samantha headed a panel of 11 victims at the Oldham Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) inquiry, and her complaints against the police and the council were upheld. She received apologies. And with Steven's support, she reported Waites to the police. Advertisement Samantha recalls: 'I was terrified of going to the police. By now I'd lost all faith in the authorities. But it was a relief to say it out loud and to finally realise that it wasn't my fault.' 8 In 2012, Samantha met her first serious boyfriend, Steven Walker (pictured on their wedding day) Credit: Supplied 8 Samantha's book, 'Undefeated' released on August 14, is now on sale Credit: Supplied In April 2015, Waites, then 42, was jailed for a total of 11 years at Manchester Crown Court after admitting rape, inciting sexual activity with an underage child, sexual assault and grooming. Samantha says: 'I was horrified to find out that he was 34 years old when he targeted me, and a former teacher. Advertisement 'Of all my attackers, Waites terrified me the most because he was so calculated and cold. I have no doubt he is a serious risk to all children.' Samantha tried to move on with her life, and she and Steven went on to have three children. However, in a fateful turn of events, Steven too became physically and mentally abusive. My family fell apart, my whole life was smashed damage goes on and on, for me and for my family, and I will never give up the fight. Samantha She says: 'At that point, I wanted to put it all behind me and concentrate on family life, but Steven became the driving force behind the campaign. 'I couldn't cope with it all. He had been obsessed with our campaign, pushing me into it. Advertisement 'I couldn't believe I'd fallen into a pattern of abuse again, though this was on a different level. 'I had to account for every penny I spent and couldn't go anywhere on my own. I realised he was tracking my movements, and I became very worried. 'He was unwell, and I had hoped he might get better but I decided I couldn't take any more.' Soon after the couple separated in early 2020, Steven, 30, took his own life, leaving Samantha devastated. She says: 'Ironically, we had started the campaign to give me back my voice and I felt he had taken it from me again. Advertisement 'My life hit the lowest point in the years after his death.' Steps to Keep Your Child Safe From Grooming By Emma Kenny, true crime psychologist and parenting expert Encourage your child to share their day-to-day experiences. Ask who they talked to on the way home, what happened at the bus stop, and if anything made them feel uncomfortable. The more openly you talk, the more confident they'll be to speak up if something feels off. If possible, arrange for your child to walk or travel with friends. Identify safe spaces along the route, trusted neighbours or shops where they can go if they feel threatened. Groomers often switch to online contact once they've made initial in-person connections. Monitor your child's digital devices in a respectful but proactive way. Agree on ground rules for social media use, and encourage them to show you anything that makes them feel uneasy. If your parental alarm bells are going off, do not dismiss those feelings. Challenge unusual behaviour or new relationships gently but firmly. Seek professional advice if you suspect your child is at risk. If you have any evidence or strong suspicions that someone is grooming your child, contact the police immediately. Support and guidance from organisations like the NSPCC or Barnardo's can also be invaluable in helping you navigate this distressing situation. 'LIFE SMASHED APART' However, in 2024, spurred on by a need to help others, Samantha, who is in a new relationship and lives in Oldham, began pushing for a broad review into child sex exploitation, which she hopes will make all children safer. She is working with MP's Jess Phillips and Kemi Badenoch and hopes the new UK inquiry into grooming gangs, scheduled to start this summer, will lead to justice for survivors and the introduction of new safety measures for all children. 'So many mistakes which were made, by the very people who were supposed to be looking after me,' says Samantha. 'My family fell apart, my whole life was smashed apart, not just by the attacks, but by the way I was treated in the aftermath. The damage goes on and on, for me and for my family, and I will never give up the fight. Advertisement 'I can't change my past but I can make a difference for the future of so many others.'
