Richie is still listed as a missing person. Years later, his case still receives a lot of attention in mainstream and social media, and there is a lot of speculation about what happened to him.
The Edwards family has been in the public eye for what has been an incredibly difficult time for the whole family. After Richie’s disappearance, Rachel felt compelled to maintain public interest in her disappearance in the hope that Richie would be found. Since then, she has acted as an advocate for her family with missing relatives, and she appeared as a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent in 2017 as a member of the Missing People’s Choir.
Richie, known to his family as Richard, was officially “presumed dead” in 2008. “I understand that the term ‘presumed death’ is offensive to some people, but there are complex financial issues that need to be resolved,” Rachel said. Our father was dying and his wish was for Richard’s estate to be sorted out. At the time, obtaining a death estimate was a very difficult procedure. “
Rachel successfully campaigned to change the law so that families could deal with the financial problems of missing loved ones in a more streamlined way. Rachel provided evidence in a government investigation, and in 2013 the Presumption of Death Act was passed into law. As a result, the process of applying for a presumed death declaration has become less complicated.
In addition, Rachel was instrumental in establishing and implementing the National Crime Agency (NCA) UK Missing Persons Unit. She also provided evidence in further government investigations to ensure that the DNA of all missing persons was successfully captured, preserved, and matched to all unidentified bodies and body parts.
Rachel is also a Volunteer Director of Ireland’s National Missing Persons Helpline. This non-profit organization aims to bring hope to the families and friends of the missing through resources, support and awareness-raising.
“The Irish Missing Persons Helpline is making great strides in Ireland, working with the Department of Justice and unidentified bodies. How it can help solve missing person cases,” she said.
Dr. Cheryl Allsopp, Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at USW, said:
“I would also like to thank the University of Portsmouth Missing Persons Research Center and the presenters for making this conference possible. , Listen Up, Alzheimer Scotland, and the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team.”
The first International Missing Children and Adults Conference in Wales will be held over three days at the Principality Stadium. The conference will explore and discuss all issues related to the challenges faced by missing persons, those responding to disappearances and those affected by disappearances.