Mum of missing student Jack O'Sullivan reveals 'renewed area of interest'

Jack O'Sullivan's graduation photo showing Jack (centre) with his brother Benjamin (far left), mum Catherine (left), and dad Alan (right)
-Credit: (Image: Catherine OSullivan)


The family of missing Jack O'Sullivan has hired private search dog teams, which have identified a new 'area of interest'. Jack's mother, Catherine O'Sullivan, feels compelled to take matters into her own hands, claiming that the police have not done enough in their search for her son.

The 23-year-old disappeared without a trace after he was last seen at 3.15am on Saturday, March 2, near Brunel Lock Road/Brunel Way, in Bristol. Catherine revealed that the family had employed a specialist dog team to retrace the areas from where he was last seen to the four miles back to their family home.

She reported that three dogs became 'agitated' at one location on the A370 bypass. Catherine claimed she had to wait a week for Avon and Somerset Police to 'consider' the report before they finally agreed to follow up.

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However, she hasn't been informed about what actions will be taken and believes the area should have been investigated immediately. Catherine, 52, said: "What we did ourselves a couple of weeks ago is we got in touch with specialist search dog teams.

"They have visited Bristol now three times - we put in a plan based on where Jack was last seen with the limited amount of information we have got from police. It has been really difficult getting them to share information and we did not want to waste time going over the same areas. But police would not tell us where they had looked so we started from scratch."

"The dog teams have searched logical areas on Jack's route home. An area was identified during the search. It was an area of concern and the dogs were a bit agitated. We went to the police with the information but still don't know if they have investigated it."

"It is the maddest thing. The police are not helping us so we have to do things ourselves. The team we are using are accredited and police use them. They are working their way through from the centre of Bristol to where we live four miles away."

Jack smiling
Jack OSullivan, 23, was last seen 18 weeks ago after walking home from a party with friends in Bristol. -Credit:Catherine O'Sullivan

"This process is ongoing. What they did was put a report together to suggest police officially go there. It has taken us a week to get that recognised by police and they only sent an email two days ago saying they should have completed the review by today (September 18).

"I can barely believe we are having a conversation about something, even a suggestion and a small chance Jack might be there and we are not being taken seriously. I want them (to) look immediately."

Catherine said the area was between where Jack was last seen on the bridge and the family home on the A370 bypass. She described it as "really hard to access and the traffic is fast flowing."

She expressed her frustration, saying: "It is one route home that Jack potentially could have tried to walk. My suggestion on the first day was police go and search that area - but they were just convinced he did not get that far.

CCTV showing the last confirmed sighting of Jack O’Sullivan
CCTV showing the last confirmed sighting of Jack O’Sullivan

"I have suggested throwing myself in a bush just to raise awareness. Three police dogs all indicated an area. The search team said it wouldn't be enough to immediately plough in and tear apart - but the suggestion was to go in there and look - could be item of clothing.

"There was enough to make them want to report it. Police told us they had to put it to the review team. But it was a full week before they came back. They said they had put it up for consideration and were going to look into it. But it was all really vague and they won't say when or how it is being done. I am aghast we have had to wait so long. An hour is a long time in my book."

Catherine also revealed that despite the overwhelming support from the community, she continues to be harassed by a troll who is 'blackmailing' her, demanding a ransom for information. She has informed the police about the individual but disclosed that she received another message from him just this morning.

She continued: "I have forwarded the details to the police. I don't believe what they are say but he is demanding money for answers. That is blackmail and extortion. It seriously needs looking at. Not that they know anything but what they are doing is so bad.

Search for Jack O'Sullivan continued today as volunteer searchers met at the Cumberland Basin in Bristol, Saturday 18 May 2024, to resume looking for the missing 23 Year old.  Jack went missing March 2 2024 from a party in the Hotwells area of the city.  Katie Bailey has taken it on her own to keep public interest in looking for Jack
Jack went missing March 2 2024 from a party in the Hotwells area of the city -Credit:PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC

"He told me today he was not happy I had gone to the police. So they must have contacted him but he still feels the need to contact me again. I've blocked his phone number but he is sending me stuff via Facebook again. I am half leaving open the lines of communication to gather evidence against him."

Avon and Somerset Police report that over 20 teams have been involved in the investigation since Jack's disappearance. The police have been assisted by various agencies, including the fire service, ambulance service, and RNLI.

According to a spokesperson, the police have reviewed over 100 hours of CCTV footage, conducted 200 hours of river and bank searches, and deployed mounted police and drones. The force has received nearly 100 calls from the public regarding possible sightings and has issued eight media appeals.

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall stated: "Our staff and officers remain committed to doing everything we can to find Jack and we do not underestimate what a distressing time this has been, and continues to be, for his family. When I look at missing persons investigations [in Avon and Somerset] over the last year, we've had around 5 and a half thousand."

"Missing people are somebody's loved ones, they're somebody's family, and we don't close the door on that." Avon and Somerset Police have been approached for a statement regarding the recent appeal to search the bypass.