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The heart-wrenching experiences of families seeking justice for their missing loved ones have brought to light troubling systemic issues within law enforcement. Christine Durand and Evidence Joel, two mothers whose sons vanished under alarming circumstances, have shared their harrowing journeys, revealing a perceived indifference from police authorities, particularly towards individuals from minority backgrounds. Their stories underscore a pressing need for reform in how missing persons cases are handled, especially concerning race and mental health.
The Disappearance of Steven Durand
Christine Durand, now 70, recalls a time when her life was consumed by anguish after her son, Steven, disappeared on 19 October 2018. At 31 years old, Steven was last seen leaving his sister’s flat in Preston, armed only with his bus fare after losing his phone. The uncertainty surrounding his fate plunged Christine into despair, and she found herself visiting the police station daily, desperate for answers.
“I just feel like they’ve not cared at all, like I’ve been left on the shelf,” she lamented. Despite her persistent efforts, she felt let down by the very agency tasked with finding her son. Misidentifications compounded the issue; police described Steven as white in their appeals when he was, in fact, of mixed race. Christine believes that had the investigation been conducted with more attention to detail and sensitivity, her son could have been found.
Systemic Issues in Missing Persons Cases
Statistics reveal a stark reality: people from Black and Asian backgrounds face significant disparities in missing persons investigations. According to research by the charity Missing People, only 31% of missing Black individuals and 35% of missing Asian individuals are located compared to 39% of their white counterparts. Furthermore, Black children are disproportionately likely to remain missing for extended periods.
In Christine’s case, she felt that police negligence stemmed from bias. “Everything I asked the police to do, they did the opposite,” she recalled, referencing a particularly distressing incident when officers forcibly entered Steven’s flat despite her offering a spare key. “I think the police are racist – I think they didn’t care about my son because he was mixed race,” she asserted.
The Tragic Case of Richard Okorogheye
Evidence Joel’s story echoes that of Christine’s. Her son, Richard Okorogheye, a 19-year-old with sickle cell syndrome, went missing from Ladbroke Grove, London, on 22 March 2021. The following day, Evidence reported him missing, emphasising his vulnerability without medication. However, her pleas for urgent action were met with indifference. Officers reportedly dismissed her concerns, suggesting that Richard would return on his own.
Tragically, Richard’s body was discovered in Epping Forest on 5 April 2021. “I felt the whole thing was governed by discrimination and racism,” Evidence expressed, lamenting the agony of believing that a more proactive response might have changed the outcome. The Metropolitan Police did eventually apologise to her for the level of service provided, admitting it fell short of public expectations. However, they did not acknowledge any racial bias in their handling of the case.
Calls for Reform and the Launch of SafeCall
In light of these distressing accounts, the charity Missing People has initiated the SafeCall service, a national lifeline aimed at supporting the 72,000 children reported missing across the UK each year. The campaign successfully raised £165,000, enabling the establishment of this confidential, 24/7 service.
Josie Allan, head of policy and partnerships at Missing People, highlighted the fears expressed by numerous families who felt discriminated against in the missing persons process. She pointed to “underlying systemic bias” affecting police responses, which makes it challenging to identify instances of discrimination during investigations. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has acknowledged the need for improved handling of discrimination complaints, yet many families continue to feel unheard.
The police’s responses to these troubling cases have been mixed. While Lancashire Constabulary stated they conducted extensive inquiries in Steven’s case, they also noted that difficult decisions sometimes lead to archiving cases. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police described their thorough efforts during Richard’s search, but the families’ experiences reveal a gap between official statements and lived realities.
Why it Matters
The stories of Christine Durand and Evidence Joel illuminate the painful intersection of missing persons cases and racial disparities within the policing system. Their calls for accountability resonate with many families who feel that systemic biases compromise the efficacy of investigations. The launch of the SafeCall service represents a vital step towards addressing these issues, yet it also underscores the urgent need for law enforcement agencies to confront and rectify the ingrained biases that undermine trust and efficacy in missing persons investigations. As these families bravely share their experiences, they challenge society to demand better, not only for themselves but for all who find themselves in similar distressing circumstances.
