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Family in ‘disbelief’ after grandad found dead two years after vanishing

Family appeals for any information, two years after Richard Locker?s disappearance, PaigntonThe family of Richard Locker, who was reported missing two years ago, have called on anyone who may have any information to report it to police.Richard was reported as a missing person from Paignton on 5 January 2024 and while officers carried out extensive searches and enquiries as to his whereabouts, along with HM Coastguard, he remains a missing person.Detective Chief Inspector Dave Pebworth said: ?It is two years since Richard was reported missing so we are asking again that members of the public report any information they may have.?At the time, area searches were carried out by specially trained teams and police drones. We also carried out CCTV enquiries and media appeals, as well as financial and phone enquiries. ?Given that it is two years since Richard was reported missing, this is an incredibly difficult milestone for the family, and it has brought up a lot of emotion for them and renewed hope that someone, somewhere, may still have information about what has happened to him.?Over that time, we have continued to follow up on any new information and would again ask that if anyone has anything relevant to this case, please get in touch, so that it can be investigated.?Richard, 54, was last seen at home in Paignton, on Thursday 4 January 2024, at around 2pm.He left in his vehicle, but this was later recovered in Mill Lane, Torquay, on Friday 5 January during police searches.He is described as a white male, pale in complexion, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, of very slim build and with short grey receding hair. He is known to usually walk with his hands in his pockets.At the time, Richard may have been wearing a navy fleece, chequered red and black shirt and navy/khaki Mountain Warehouse trousers. He has a tattoo on his right shoulder reading ?Easy Tiger?. He may also have a light beige jacket with him.He has links across Torbay, the South Hams and also in the Stoke area of Staffordshire.If you have seen Richard, or know of his whereabouts, please call police immediately on 101, quoting log number 309 of 5/1/24.picture: devon-cornwall
Richard Locker’s remains have been found two and a half years later (Picture: Devon and Cornwall Police)

The family of a man who went missing almost three years ago say they are ‘devastated’ after his remains were finally identified.

Richard Locker, 53, from Paignton, was first reported missing in January 2024 after last being spotted on a street in Torquay.

Police found his car parked four miles away on Mill Lane the next day, but found no trace of him for two and a half years.

Yesterday, it was announced that his remains were found just metres from where officers found his car in 2024.

Richard’s daughter, Chloe, wrote on Facebook: ‘I can’t believe we are even writing this. We are devastated to have to announce that recently Rich’s body was discovered close to where he was last seen on CCTV, on Mill Lane.

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Family appeals for any information, two years after Richard Locker?s disappearance, Paignton The family of Richard Locker, who was reported missing two years ago, have called on anyone who may have any information to report it to police. Richard was reported as a missing person from Paignton on 5 January 2024 and while officers carried out extensive searches and enquiries as to his whereabouts, along with HM Coastguard, he remains a missing person. Detective Chief Inspector Dave Pebworth said: ?It is two years since Richard was reported missing so we are asking again that members of the public report any information they may have. ?At the time, area searches were carried out by specially trained teams and police drones. We also carried out CCTV enquiries and media appeals, as well as financial and phone enquiries. ?Given that it is two years since Richard was reported missing, this is an incredibly difficult milestone for the family, and it has brought up a lot of emotion for them and renewed hope that someone, somewhere, may still have information about what has happened to him. ?Over that time, we have continued to follow up on any new information and would again ask that if anyone has anything relevant to this case, please get in touch, so that it can be investigated.? Richard, 54, was last seen at home in Paignton, on Thursday 4 January 2024, at around 2pm. He left in his vehicle, but this was later recovered in Mill Lane, Torquay, on Friday 5 January during police searches. He is described as a white male, pale in complexion, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, of very slim build and with short grey receding hair. He is known to usually walk with his hands in his pockets. At the time, Richard may have been wearing a navy fleece, chequered red and black shirt and navy/khaki Mountain Warehouse trousers. He has a tattoo on his right shoulder reading ?Easy Tiger?. He may also have a light beige jacket with him. He has links across Torbay, the South Hams and also in the Stoke area of Staffordshire. If you have seen Richard, or know of his whereabouts, please call police immediately on 101, quoting log number 309 of 5/1/24. picture: devon-cornwall
His family say they are in ‘disbelief’ (Picture: Devon and Cornwall Police)

‘We are in just complete disbelief and trying to gather our thoughts about this.’

She added: ‘We will fight to the very end to get the answers we deserve. Richard, as well as our whole family, have been let down by the system and we won’t let this go easily.

‘Feel free to send your messages of love and respect underneath this post, and show how much Rich is loved and missed every single day.’

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.’

Richard’s stepdaughter Nicola wrote: ‘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.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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