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Family of missing man are living a 'nightmare'

Stuart Woodward/BBC A missing poster regarding Martyn Richardson. It has a picture of him and his bike.Stuart Woodward/BBC
Martyn Richardson had been in "good spirits" prior to his disappearance

The family of a missing man said they were living a "nightmare" four weeks on from his disappearance.

Martyn Richardson, who has Asperger's syndrome, was last seen leaving a family birthday party in Bocking, near Braintree in Essex, on 24 August.

The 27-year-old's bike was found three days later in fields near the River Blackwater.

"I just get this feeling he’s not listening because something’s happened to him," said his nan, Mary.

Ms Richardson, who has been her grandson's legal guardian since he moved in with her aged one, said he had intended to go home after the party.

Stuart Woodward/BBC Mary Richardson, who is wearing a pink top and black cardigan. She is in a garden and looking seriously at the camera.Stuart Woodward/BBC
Mary Richardson believes somebody has information they have not yet shared with the police

"He was absolutely fine when he left, there were no obvious signs of anything," she told BBC Essex.

"Something happened to him along the way, somebody must’ve seen something and yet nobody’s coming forward.

"It’s a nightmare, we just need him home, we need to know what’s happened to him."

Renewing an appeal for Mr Richardson to contact her, she added: "I love you so much, Martyn, come home. Please come home, everybody loves you."

Mr Richardson, from Braintree, was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with a long-sleeved top underneath, black shorts and black shoes.

Disappearing was not something "he would have done himself", Mr Richardson's uncle, Lee, previously said, adding he had been in "good spirits" at the party.

"You go through all the thoughts of what could’ve happened and where he could be," he added on Monday.

"It’s so out of character, you don’t know what else could’ve happened to him."

Family handout Martyn Richardson, who is wearing a red T-shirt and glasses.Family handout
Police are remaining "open-minded" about how Mr Richardson went missing

Insp Phil Jackson, of Essex Police, said detectives remained "open-minded" about Mr Richardson's disappearance.

Specialist officers, assisted by Essex Search and Rescue, have searched fields near the River Blackwater, as well as the river itself.

Police have also appealed to four people, including three dog walkers, to come forward as they could have "vital information".

Anybody with information is urged to contact Essex Police, quoting incident 324 of 25 August.

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