Latest news with #Missed
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Mum of missing boy thanks Mirror for helping find 17-year-old son
Deante James, 17, who went missing on the evening of March 31 from Enfield, North London, has been found alive and it's all thanks to our Missed campaign we're working on with the Missing People charity The mother of a missing teenager who has been found alive has thanked The Mirror after we highlighted his story as part of our Missed campaign. Deante James, 17, went missing on the evening of March 31 from the family home in Enfield, north London, while suffering with psychosis, after unknowingly smoking a joint laced with Spice - a lab-made drug designed to mimic the effects of cannabis.. His mum, Vandana Bhogowoth, who found Deante safe, tells The Mirror: "I'm so happy and relieved, thank God we've found him. When I got the call to say he'd been found I was over the moon - I couldn't stop crying.' 'Thanks so much for everything you've done - it pushed the police and this time his name was entered onto the system correctly. It's great news and he's now getting the help he needs." Deante's life changed a few weeks before he vanished, after he shared a joint with friends, not knowing it was laced with Spice - a drug known to cause side effects ranging from difficulty breathing to psychotic episodes in some users. He developed psychosis and the night he went missing, he ran away without his phone or wallet. Lovingly referring to Deante as 'my boo,' Vandana shared her story with The Mirror's Missed campaign last month, telling us how he he was picked up by British Transport Police three days after going missing for not being able to pay his fare but let go because of an inputting error and fell through the cracks. But, instead of bringing him home and ending Vandana's agony, the police let him go. Vandana, 36, explained at the time: 'He's underage, he's vulnerable and at risk. Police had hold of him and let him go - we could have had him home by now.' It was only after Vandana contacted her MP that Deante's case was changed from medium to high risk - despite being 17 and vulnerable. And it's not just Deante - many missing people are slipping through the cracks, because there's no clear government plan to protect or support them. Now Vandana is determined that other families should not be put through the same agony as she was - meeting with Jess Phillips MP, the parliamentary under-secretary for The Home Office, while Deante was missing to share her experience. And she is backing our Missed campaign, which is calling for a co-ordinated response by services like the police and hospitals in dealing with missing people. Deante's story illustrates the importance of signing our petition calling for a proper government strategy, led by the Home Office, Education, and Health departments, so that missing people and their loved ones get the help they deserve. So far 13, 477 people have signed, but we need 100,000 for it to be debated in Parliament. DEMAND ACTION FOR MISSING PEOPLE Too many missing people are falling through the cracks - harmed while away, and ignored when they return. We need a proper government strategy led by the Home Office, Education, and Health departments to stop this crisis. Right now, there's no real support. People go missing again and again - yet no one's asking why. We're calling for: A new national strategy for missing children and adults Proper support for missing people when they return Investment to stop people going missing in the first place At 10,000 signatures, the government has to respond. At 100,000, it will be debated in Parliament. That's our goal - real action. Susannah Drury, Director of Policy and Development at Missing People, which backs our campaign, says: 'We are incredibly relieved that Deante James has been found safe, after more than a month of being missing and at high risk of harm. "Throughout his time missing, our team has been supporting his mum and simply being there during the most frightening moments of her life. While we share in her relief, we are also deeply concerned about how someone at such high risk could disappear without an urgent response being triggered. 'This case highlights urgent gaps in the system, and it's exactly why our current petition is more important than ever. We need lasting change — not just to prevent young people from falling through the cracks, but to ensure that families like his have the support they need at every stage, both in crisis and beyond. Right now, Deante's family need space and time to begin to process what they've been through, and we will continue to stand beside them as they navigate the days and weeks ahead.' FAMILIES OF THE MISSING Missing people: Facts and Myths Every year, 170,000 people vanish in the UK – that's one person every 90 seconds. Fortunately, most return home within a few days, often without the need for a public appeal. For adults over 18, going missing isn't illegal, but the police will want to ensure their safety. If there are concerns for their welfare, a public appeal might be launched. Importantly, you don't need to wait 24 hours to report someone missing. If their absence is unusual, contact the police immediately. Any child who goes missing will be looked for by police though they are not often given public facing appeals. How the Missing People charity Supports Families Missing People works closely with the police to amplify missing appeals and provide vital support to families. They offer practical help in searches and emotional support to those affected. If you need assistance or want to see your loved one's appeal on the Missed map, call their Helpline on 116 000. It's free, confidential and non-judgemental. They are also there to listen if you are thinking of disappearing or have already left. The Role of Public Appeals Not all missing cases are made public. In situations involving domestic abuse or severe mental health issues, publicity might do more harm than good. That is one reason why you will only see a fraction of missing cases on the Missed map. When sharing appeals, it's crucial to use the official channels from the Missing People website or via the share button on the Missed map. This ensures that once the person is found, all traces of the appeal are removed, respecting their privacy. The Mirror is committed to removing digital footprints of shared appeals, ensuring the missing person's right to be forgotten is upheld. By sharing official appeals, you help protect the privacy and dignity of those who have been found.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Body found in search for missing hiker who vanished six days ago
Bernard Trottet, 65, was reported missing after he failed to return to a campsite in the Morvich area of the Highlands, with the alarm being raised on Sunday - sadly police have found a body while searching for Mr Trottet Police have suspended their search for a man was missing for six days after going hiking in Scotland. Tragedy struck as a body was found in the search for missing hillwalker Bernard Trottet, who disappeared six days ago in the Morvich area. The 65 year old had not been seen since he failed to return to his campsite, sparking concerns for his safety. Police Scotland confirmed on Monday June 2 that a man's body was discovered in water near Kinloch Hourn at approximately 12:55pm on, Monday, June 2. While formal identification is pending, Bernard's family has been notified of that police have found the body. Bernard was last seen on Tuesday, May 27, at Corryhully Bothy in Glenfinnan, having embarked on the notoriously difficult Cape Wrath Trail. A Police Scotland spokesperson stated: "Around 12.55pm on Monday, 2 June, 2025, the body of a man was found in the water in the Kinloch Hourn area." The spokesperson continued: "Formal identification has yet to take place, however, the family of Bernard Trottet, who was reported missing in the area, has been informed." They added that no foul play is suspected and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal, reports the Daily Record. The Cape Wrath Trail, stretching over 200 miles from Fort William to the most north-westerly point of the UK, is known for its treacherous terrain, including steep mountains and deep bogs, making it the UK's toughest long-distance trek. the Mirror is launching Missed. In partnership with Missing People, our mission is to bring awareness to every publicly listed missing person in the UK through our live, interactive map. The Mirror has launched a campaign called 'Missed'. Part of the campaign includes an interactive map in partnership with the Missing People charity as we launch our Missed campaign calling for better support and care for missing people and their loved ones. Right now, there's no real support. People go missing again and again - yet no one's asking why. We're calling for: A new national strategy for missing children and adults Proper support for missing people when they return Investment to stop people going missing in the first place At 10,000 signatures, the government has to respond. At 100,000, it will be debated in Parliament. That's our goal - real actio. You can help by signing our petition here. Find out more about our 'Missed' campaign here.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Everything you should do if you believe someone is missing
Having a loved one go missing is difficult to deal with so having clear idea of what steps to take is important. Guidance from police and the charity Missing People helps Someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK, which is more than 170,000 people a year. Of these, about 75,000 are children, and nearly 96,000 are adults. When a loved one goes missing, it can be difficult to know what to do. Earlier this year, The Mirror teamed up with the charity Missing People to launch the Missed campaign, raising awareness of every publicly-listed missing person in the UK. The police and Missing People provide advice on how to cope when someone you know goes missing, as well as what steps need to be taken - and we've used this to put together a simple guide outlining each important part of the process, from making the report to searching for your loved one. How can you report a missing person? If someone goes missing, you should contact anyone you think may know their whereabouts, and if you're still concerned, contact your local police. It is a common misconception that you have to wait 24 hours before contacting the police. If you are concerned, report it straight away. The police may ask you for a photo of the missing person, details of their friends and relatives, places they often visit, whether they have a medical condition, and for a sample of their DNA (such as from a toothbrush). The person will be recorded as missing and their details made available to other UK police forces within 48 hours. If someone goes missing abroad, you should contact your local police, who will then contact the force in the relevant country through Interpol, as well as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. You can do this by calling 020 7008 5000 and asking for 'Consular Assistance'. DEMAND ACTION FOR MISSING PEOPLE Too many missing people are falling through the cracks - harmed while away, and ignored when they return. We need a proper government strategy led by the Home Office, Education, and Health departments to stop this crisis. Right now, there's no real support. People go missing again and again - yet no one's asking why. We're calling for: A new national strategy for missing children and adults Proper support for missing people when they return Investment to stop people going missing in the first place At 10,000 signatures, the government has to respond. At 100,000, it will be debated in Parliament. That's our goal - real action. What will the police do during a missing person case? The police will sometimes allocate a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) to a missing person case, who will act as a consistent point of contact for the family, and provide support and information about the investigation. After 72 hours, the police working on the case have to tell the UK Missing Persons Unit, which is part of the National Crime Agency. The unit carries out enquiries on behalf of local forces, keeps a database of missing and found people, and manages the forensic database of DNA profiles and fingerprints. The police will also have to decide if a case is high risk, medium risk, low risk, or no apparent risk, after a person is reported missing. They will take into account factors like age and health - but the risk level can change during the investigation if new information comes to light or circumstances change. How can you find a missing person? As well as reporting the missing person to the police, you can call the person, search the places where you think they could be, and speak to people that may know where they are, the Missing People charity explained. You could try ringing around hospitals to see if they have had any recent unidentified individuals admitted. You should ask family and friends to help you as this can 'speed things up and make you feel more supported and less alone'. It is also a good idea to make a note of all the things you have done, places you have searched, and the people you have spoken to, as this may be helpful later. If the person is still missing after several weeks, you should make sure to know who your point of contact is in the police and what is happening in the search. You should also think about publicity and can share posts on social media to raise awareness. Missing People said: 'When sharing our appeal, if you feel comfortable to do so, you could try targeting useful agencies such as local newspapers and asking them to share it.' You could also reach out to your loved one's favourite sports team, if they have one, to ask them to help share the appeal. If Missing People has launched a public posted campaign for your loved one, you will receive a copy via email. You can hand this out to places like pubs, nature reserves, and cafes, as well as other places where they have lots of connections such as a town they used to live in. Talking to family and friends about how you're feeling, or seeking professional support, is a good idea if they remain missing after several months. There are many ways to keep the media interested in your appeal after a long time, such as by making a page or group on social media, launching Facebook fundraisers, and getting in touch with media outlets as you reach notable timelines. Missing People advised: 'If you have any photographs of your loved one which you have not yet shared publicly, consider if you would like to share them online and with the media. Sometimes having a new photograph, or even an alternative such as them with a beard or without, can help to create more interest in the appeal. It can also jog peoples' memories.' It may be worth considering whether Age Progression would be useful if your loved one has been missing a long time. This method involves changing a photo of the person to show how they would look after aging or maturing. The police warn against putting yourself in danger while searching for your loved one. It says: 'Let police deal with any specialist searches in places like mountains or water.' However, there are things you can do to help with the search, which includes leaving the missing person's bedroom and things alone, and not touching their hairbrush or toothbrush, as this could be used to collect a DNA sample. When is a missing person case closed? A missing person case is only closed when the person is found. However, when it has been 12 months, the investigation will be reviewed to consider if it can become a 'Long Term Missing' case. During the process, there will likely be several reviews held by the police. Guidance states that reviews should be completed at the latest after 28 days, three months, six months, and 12 months, then annually thereafter. It explains: 'If significant information comes to light, this should trigger an immediate review. Consideration may also be given to cold case reviews of outstanding missing person cases.' Families should be 'given reasonable expectations about ongoing contact during long-term cases' and be told about the review process and updated on the outcomes. Missing People said: 'If you do not feel like these expectations are being followed by your police force you should ask to speak to the responsible officer and explain your concerns. If you still feel that they are not communicating reasonably regularly you can consider making a complaint.'
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
When is a person considered missing? And time it takes to be presumed dead
It can be hard to know what to do when someone goes missing but here's a simple guide to understanding the different types of missing people and what happens when someone is never found Every year, around 17,000 people go missing in the UK. But what is a missing person? Who counts as a voluntary missing person, and what does it mean to be an endangered missing person? Knowing when a missing person is considered missing to police and when a missing person can be declared dead can help families understand the process better. In March, The Mirror teamed up with the charity Missing People to launch the Missed campaign, raising awareness of every publicly-listed missing person in the UK, no matter their story. Understanding the police search process and the meaning behind the jargon can improve the chances of finding someone. Here are some answers to these important and difficult questions about missing people. What is a missing person? The police's exact definition of a missing person is as follows: "Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established will be considered as missing until located and their wellbeing or otherwise confirmed. This means that if you are expected to be at home and aren't there, or haven't arrived at somewhere you're supposed to be, you may be reported missing." If a missing person has been reported to the police, an appeal to the public to help find them may go out in the form of social media posts and other means of publicity. When Missing People charity - the only UK charity dedicated to supporting missing children, adults and their loved ones - is informed, they will also put out their own appeal which may include posters. What is a voluntary missing person? Anyone over the age of 18 who chooses to leave home without telling anyone and is safe and well, is called a voluntary missing person. If they're not in danger, not a victim of crime, and not a risk to themselves or others, the police will leave them alone according to Missing People charity. But if they're covered by a law such as the Mental Health Act, or are at serious risk of harm, the police must step in and take them somewhere safe. DEMAND ACTION FOR MISSING PEOPLE Too many missing people are falling through the cracks - harmed while away, and ignored when they return. We need a proper government strategy led by the Home Office, Education, and Health departments to stop this crisis. Right now, there's no real support. People go missing again and again - yet no one's asking why. We're calling for: A new national strategy for missing children and adults Proper support for missing people when they return Investment to stop people going missing in the first place At 10,000 signatures, the government has to respond. At 100,000, it will be debated in Parliament. That's our goal - real action. What does "endangered missing person" mean? When police assess a missing person, they decide if the person is in danger. A missing person might be at risk of harm because they are vulnerable - for example, they can't cope with the weather, may have been abducted by someone, or could face other serious risks over time. Police may also concentrate efforts on people who are considered to be at risk due to diminished mental capacity, physical disability or illness, or when circumstances are suspicious. When is a person considered missing? A person is considered missing as soon as no one knows where they are and no one can confirm they're safe. They stay classed as missing until they're found or it's confirmed they're okay. When is a missing person presumed dead? If someone has been missing for seven years and there's no sign they're alive, the law allows the court to presume they are dead. This is called the "seven year rule." However, in some cases, things can be dealt with before or after seven years. The seven year mark is important in marriage and civil partnerships - after this time, the court can legally end the partnership and declare the person dead, as long as there's no evidence they're still alive. Even with this declaration, it doesn't give others the right to manage the missing person's money or property. Seven years also matters when applying to deal with their estate (called a grant of probate). Until seven years have passed, the law usually assumes the person is still alive. After seven years, a court might allow a missing person's affairs to be handled if people who would know about them haven't heard from them and if plenty of efforts have been made to find them. But if there's proof the person was alive during those seven years, the court won't say they're dead just because of the time. There are also important exceptions. Families of people who went missing in dangerous situations such as at sea, in a disaster, or a terrorist attack, can ask the court to deal with their affairs much sooner than seven years. When can a missing person be declared dead? The family or anyone else concerned with the missing person, must ask the court to officially declare a missing person is dead. This is usually needed to start handling the missing person's money and belongings. The court will only agree if it is satisfied that enough has been done to try to find the missing person, including checking with the police. But getting permission to handle the estate (called a grant of probate) is not the same as the court officially saying the person is dead, and it doesn't automatically affect other legal matters such as ending a marriage.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Brother of missing Dublin woman urges TV shows to add helpline numbers
A brother of a Dublin woman who vanished in 1999 wants TV storylines about missing people to include vital helpline information. Since Ellen Coss née Brown suddenly disappeared, her devoted brother Thomas Brown, 66, has campaigned tirelessly to find her. As part of the Irish Mirror's 'Missed' campaign that highlights the tragedy of Ireland's missing people and the anguish of those left behind, Mr Brown spoke to us to highlight the ongoing agony of families and their missing loved ones. Our 'Missed' campaign highlights the forgotten, unsolved, or underreported cases of missing people across Ireland and delves into the country's most high-profile cases. Tom believes that productions like television dramas, movies, documentaries, and podcasts should carry details of how members of the public can reach out to the authorities to share evidence. Just a fortnight after Ellen's birthday on April 30, Mr Brown spoke to the Irish Mirror about media assistance, the Garda investigation, false sightings, and how his sister's disappearance pushed him to the brink of suicide. Ellen went missing on November 3, 1999. Tom said: 'There are plenty of TV shows and podcasts and things like that always talking about missing person cases, but after every programme they don't always give out information numbers for people to call. The lots of TV shows have a storyline about someone going missing. Even Fair City had one. 'In any other storyline, if it's for drug addiction or suicide, or mental health, the shows put helpline numbers on the screen for people to call. But they don't do that for missing person cases. They have to take this seriously. Give out the helpline.' Ellen, from Ballyfermot in Dublin, was aged 51 when she disappeared after staying with her sister Bertha Lee in England for a few months, following the death in March that year of their mother, whose loss left Ellen heartbroken. The sisters left Bertha's home at Langley in Middleton, outside Manchester, and waved farewell to each other as Ellen caught a train at Piccadilly Rail Station for Holyhead port in Wales for the ferry to return home to Dublin. Mum-of-one Ellen vanished with Stg£20 and no passport. The trip home from Holyhead was one that she had made several times because she preferred not to fly – but she vanished without trace and has never been found, despite police searches in England, Wales, and Dublin. Her son Peter, who is living in London at the time, revealed that his mum told him on the phone on the night before she disappeared that she loved him, something she would often tell him. A body found in Bournemouth a year later was DNA tested, but it was not Ellen. The family was told by detectives that there was no CCTV footage and a TV appeal on BBC led to numerous false sightings, including one that turned out to be a homeless woman in Dublin. Gardai issued a public appeal for information, TV3 made a documentary called Ireland's Missing Mums, and an advertisement was put in a Manchester newspaper in 2021. She sometimes went by the name Cleo Brown and was 5 feet, 3 inches tall. Family members led the search for her, with her sister Bertha saying in 2005 that she believed Ellen was still alive. Bertha, who died in 2015, said 20 years ago: "I don't know why, but I do think I'd sense it or know it if she was dead. Plus, another thing, I really do think they'd have found her body if she's died." Ellen's son Peter, who is now 55, said in 2019: "If she's still alive we would just be relieved she is okay and would just say to get in touch." He added: 'If the worst has happened, and anyone who knows her or has information, then please just get in touch with the police." Ellen's brother Tom slept rough among Dublin's homeless in an attempt to find the homeless woman who was one of the false sightings of Ellen around 2000 to 2001. Tom told the Irish Mirror in 2016: 'I had to sleep rough to gain the trust of the homeless community and I wanted to see this woman. She was very like my sister but it was not her.' Tom fears his sister's case did not receive maximum police focus because her disappearance involved travel between three countries and different jurisdictions. He did his own investigative work and spent years going back and forth between Dublin and Holyhead on the ferry in the hope of finding her. In recent years, Tom who admitted that he was 'resigned to my beloved sister being at peace in heaven', decided that he had given up 'making appeals and doing interviews as it is too distressing'. But, last night, Tom spoke to the Irish Mirror and said: 'No matter how you look at it, you don't get closure. There are so many missing people that you really have to campaign a lot to get noticed. It led to a lot of misinformation being provided, like false sightings, which can give hope and then heartbreak. It is so hard. It's not like on TV, where they do their own detective work and find the person.' He added: 'The police in my sister's case were of no use to us. We relied on sightings from the public. There was a homeless woman in Dublin who was the double of Ellen, around 2001 or 2002. But she wasn't Ellen. I believe Ellen got no farther than Holyhead. I went around the streets of Holyhead and the whole area, trying to find Ellen. The last time was 2011. 'I went over and I took with me the ashes of my oldest brother, Roy, who died in 2004. I had been searching for Ellen and was up in the height in Holyhead and thought, 'F**k this, I am going to jump into the sea; there's no point'. I was thinking that I'd either hit the rocks or the water. It was a culmination of factors, including the search, the investigation, and it was Ellen's anniversary. Then a helicopter went overhead and I didn't bother. The thought of going missing on Ellen's anniversary would've been hard for people.' Information can be passed to the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 and Ireland's Missing Persons' Helpline is 1800 442 552. Help can also be provided to the UK's National Missing Persons on its website, and to the UK's Crimestoppers on its website, or by calling Greater Manchester Police on 00441618725050.
