Mum of missing Hartlepool man 'will fight for justice' to find out what happened
Tomorrow marks 13 years since 27 year-old Scott Fletcher went missing
Last updated 11th May 2024
The mum of a missing Hartlepool man says she and her family will fight for justice to find out what happened.
Tomorrow marks 13 years since 27 year-old father Scott Fletcher when he was last seen by an acquaintance at around 8.20pm on 11th May 2011, when they dropped him off at a lay-by opposite the Jet garage on the A181 at Wheatley Hill in County Durham.
It is believed that he has links to the Durham, Cumbria, and Liverpool areas.
Scott's mum, Julie, said: "It's left a huge gap in the family because Scott was also a son, brother and an uncle so you've got all these people that are missing him.
"On the day that he went missing he was busy moving furniture into a house, his dad had done his tea and I was at work. On the evening, he got a phone call and said 'I'll only be 10 minutes dad.' He left his watch and everything behind, he went out of the door and that was the last that was seen of him.
"It's very hard. I used to cry a lot when Scott first went missing and I used to think 'he should be doing this now', 'he should be out with the kids' which he loved to do. He'd bang them into the car and take them out for the day, so there's a lot of sadness there about what he's missed.
"He's paid the ultimate price and I do't believe that anybody has the right to do that to somebody. It impacted seriously on his father because he was very, very close to his dad. His dad suffered with ill health for about five years and he deteriorated rapidly. He died without knowing what had happened to his son, as did his nana.
"His daughter's suffered badly and she's turned out the most beautiful girl with a beautiful heart. She's had to have a lot of counselling and it's hard when things come up like her prom day and you think 'well, her dad would be so proud as she looks beautiful', and her dad would have been there with her.
"He might have been 27 but he's my child and he could be a tinker when he wanted to be but I wouldn't have had him any other way. It's that constant anxiety and wondering of where he is. You know sometimes I've been out, I've looked and thought 'that's Scott' but it's not. He's contantly on our minds and he always will be.
"We still don't have any answers so we don't have anywhere to go to mourn him and we don't know what's happened to him.
"I do think it's a murder case now. We lived with hope for many years and that hope has disappeared somewhat. Now I hope for justice and I'll fight for justice for Scott and so will my family."
At the time of his disappearance, Scott was described as white, 6ft with a medium build, with blue eyes and short mousey hair. He has a small scar on the centre right of his head.
Since 2012, the Missing People charity has supported Scott’s family with counselling and publicity support.
In 2015, Cleveland Police changed his missing enquiry to a murder investigation.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Matt Hollingworth, said: “Any new information or lines of enquiry in relation to the murder of Scott Fletcher in 2011 will be investigated.
“The case is currently being reviewed by the joint Cleveland and North Yorkshire Cold Case Unit and we await the outcome of this process.
“We will pursue any recommendations from the review and we continue to welcome any new information from the public which could help us find answers for Scott’s family and locate where his body is.”
Missing People’s Publicity Officer, Ndella Senghore, said: “If anyone has any information about Scott’s disappearance, they can contact Missing People’s helpline.
“Scott, if you are reading this, please get in touch. You can call us on 116 000 or email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk. Our service is non-judgemental, confidential, and free thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe.
“Our helpline is here to support people who are missing, thinking of going missing, and for loved ones who are left behind. The helpline is free and confidential and is operated by trained staff and volunteers.
“Sightings and information about any missing person can also be given anonymously through the Missing People website.
“Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
To help the search, the public can visit Scott’s appeal on the Missing People website here.