Missing Manics Star's Family Reveal Pain

The family of Manic Street Preachers guitarist Richey Edwards have spoken of their pain at still not having closure 20 years on from his disappearance.

The lyricist had been due to depart for a US tour on 1 February 1995 when he checked out of a London hotel never to be seen again.

His sister, Rachel Elias, has revealed how the family's agony became even more pronounced with the passing of her father Graham two years ago.

"It was difficult because he had to face up to that realisation - that we all may have to - we may not find out what happened to Richard," she said.

"It is very different. When someone dies… you can go to a crematorium, graveyard or place where you have scattered their ashes and remember.

"But when someone goes missing you are left with this ongoing uncertainty. Not knowing makes it worse.

"What you end up being left with is your imagination and you can construct everything in that."

Though his car was found abandoned at a motorway service station two weeks after his disappearance, no trace of Edwards has been found.

The musician suffered from mental health problems in the years preceding his disappearance.

Mrs Elias, who is part of The Missing People Rock Choir who have released a fundraising single called I Miss You, said: "People said all sorts of things in the initial stages - that he was hiding out at a fan's house or that we knew where he was. It was just totally fabricated.

"That hampered the police's involvement, they had to explore statements like that rather than just be focused on the investigation.

"Also he was noted as a vulnerable adult on his missing person's file - because he had a recent hospital admission and prescribed anti-depressants.

"In retrospect, there wasn't that much active searching done. They would follow up leads if people contacted them, but they didn't actively try to find him.

"One officer even said he had a right to go missing. It was incredibly hurtful."

Mrs Elias, a mental health support worker, has campaigned with families of other missing people.

"Things have definitely improved," she said. "People have family liaison officers now and improvements have also been made in the way the police communicate with families of missing people."

The Missing People Rock Choir track can be downloaded for a donation of £1 via this website .