Police continue to appeal for information about missing man a month after his disappearance
Police hopes for the safe return of a missing man from
Colchester are fading one month after his disappearance.
Ant Stammers was last seen by his mother on the morning of Sunday,
May 27, 2012.
Officers and family believe the death of his grandfather in May
triggered a breakdown which led to Ant’s disappearance.
Ant, who lived in Mile End Road with his parents, was
expected to attend his grandfather's funeral at Colchester
Crematorium but failed to do so.
Investigating Officer, DI Stephen Jennings, said: "It’s been a
month since Ant was seen by his mother – the last person to see
him. There has been no known activity by him for over four weeks
now so our hopes of finding him alive, safe and well are
fading.
"We haven’t given up though and will continue to base our searches
for him on any information which comes to light. We have spoken to
Ant’s parents and they are aware or our activities to date and our
plans for the future.”
Ant's absence is causing his family great concern as it is out
of character for him to remain out of contact for any period of
time.
On the day of her 56th birthday, Ant's mum Julie Stammers made
an emotional plea for him to make contact with his family or the
police at a police news conference.
Joined by her husband Robert Stammers, 60, the said: "Ant's
absence is causing us, the rest of his family and friends a great
deal of concern and sadness."
Ant is described as white, about 5ft 10 ins tall
and of medium build. He has short, dark-brown hair and
was clean-shaven when last seen but may have a beard by
now. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue-and-red checked
shirt and was carrying a black satchel. He may also have been
wearing a black New York Yankees baseball cap and beige jacket.
Police have carried out searches of various areas in and around
Mile End, Highwoods Country Park, Severalls industrial site,
sections alongside the Avenue of Remembrance and the Colchester
town area, with dog handlers being assisted by colleagues from the
force’s Air Support Unit.
DI Jennings added: "Both the family and ourselves at Essex
Police would like to thank the volunteers of Lowland Search and
Rescue for helping to allow as big an area of Colchester as
possible to be covered in a bid to find Ant. This has been a
traumatic period of Ant’s parents, family and friends and it has
been hard to see them in such a distressed state.”
Anyone with information on Ant’s whereabouts is urged to contact
investigating officers at Colchester police station on 101.
