The remains of a man who vanished two years ago have been found near his car, which was located at the time of his disappearance. Richard Locker, from Paignton in Devon, disappeared on January 4, 2024. He was last seen on a street in Torquay, four miles away.
Police found his car parked on Mill Lane in Torquay the next day. Now, his stepdaughter has confirmed his remains were found at a property on Mill Lane last month, more than two years after he vanished, reports Devon Live.
His stepdaughter Nicola confirmed in a social media post on Tuesday evening, September 1, that "finally after all this time, we have found you". Nicola said they never "stopped looking for him" and that the past two years had been filled with "wondering and pain of not knowing" whether he was safe.
In a post within the Finding Richard Locker Facebook group, Nicola wrote: "After two years, seven months and 27 days of wondering where you were… we finally know. We wanted you home, we wanted answers, and more than anything, we wanted another chance to see you, hear your voice and tell you how much you are loved. But amongst all of the heartbreak, there is a tiny piece of peace in finally knowing where you are. You have never been forgotten, Rich. Not for one single day."
Richard left his home in Paignton in his vehicle on January 4, 2024. His car was found the next day on Mill Lane, Torquay, during police searches, but there was no trace of Richard himself.
The death is not being treated as suspicious, police confirmed. A statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of a man reported missing in 2024 has been informed of this development. His death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file is being prepared for the coroner."
Devon Man’s Remains Found Near Car Two Years After Disappearance