INVESTIGATORS searching for a Barnsley man who should have marked his birthday on Christmas Eve have reissued an appeal for information to the public.
Richard Dyson went missing on November 17 in 2019 and, despite numerous appeals from South Yorkshire Police, his whereabouts still remain unknown.
CCTV footage - which was taken the day before Richard’s disappearance - shows him pulling up to a petrol station on Sheffield Road, Birdwell, at around 10.30pm.
He exits his vehicle - with the registration T321 POW - before entering the petrol station’s shop.
He then returns to his car, opens the bonnet and checks something before driving away.
However, he was last seen on November 17 at 11pm, walking towards the A6135 Sheffield Road in Hoyland, close to Parkside Cottage near to where he had been staying
Richard is described as about 5ft 10in tall with short grey hair and was wearing a navy Kappa jacket with white stitching.
All arrests made in the case so far have yet to lead to any charges despite ‘extensive proactive investigations’ being carried out by detectives and officers.
South Yorkshire Police reissued an appeal for information on his whereabouts on his 59th birthday.
Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles, leading the investigation, urged anyone who can help to come forward.
He said: “Somebody knows where he is, and we hope that they might now come forward to bring this ordeal to an end for his daughter, Bethany, and everyone who knows and loves Richard.
“If Richard is reading this, please come forward and let us know where you are - you will not be in trouble and you will be bringing such a huge piece of mind to your friends and family.”
Bethany added: “It breaks my heart over and over again - my words still ring true as the family were faced with a fourth birthday without knowing what happened to him.
“Every year without him that shock and disbelief just grows.
“I would always see dad on his birthday - he’d bring me my Christmas presents and my card and I would give him his birthday and Christmas presents.
“He’d always pick me up at about 6pm and he’d drive me to my aunt’s house for a Christmas dinner and we’d stay there a while.
“It was such a happy time of the year, and now I dread it and I can’t enjoy it anymore.
“While I am at work it’s hard seeing everyone so happy and excited to spend Christmas with their loved ones and I have to pretend to be happy and put a smile on my face even though I feel like breaking down and crying every second of every day.
“It feels like I can’t get any closure not having any answers. Somebody must know something, and I just don’t understand why anyone would keep anything like that to themselves and would put a family through so much pain.
“If you do know something please come to the police, even if you don’t think it is significant it could be.
“The relief and happiness I would feel, if somebody does know something and comes forward, I can’t describe.”
If you have information which could assist the investigation, please call 101 quoting incident number 459 of November 25, 2019.
Alternatively, if you prefer not to give your personal details, you can stay anonymous and pass on what you know by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers.
Call their UK contact centre on freephone 0800 555 111 or complete a simple and secure anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
