Archive - Wednesday, 28 August 2002


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Family reminded of son missing since 1994

THE parents of a young Chalford man who has been missing since 1994 have described how each passing summer brings a painful reminder of their loss.

James Elam, was 27 when he was last sighted at Gloucester Carnival in August 1994.

The former Marling schoolboy had walked out of his idyllic Chalford Valley home in May 1994 and never returned.

He had disappeared many times before but until that fateful day had always returned home.

James was well known in the area and was instantly recognisable by his short black curly hair leather jacket, jeans and Dr Martens boots.

He was also accompanied everywhere by his faithful German Shepherd Cross terrier which had been his constant companion.

Initially his father, David was unperturbed by James's disappearance.

"James had always come back before and for the first year we weren't unduly worried as he had talked about going to Devon," said his father.

But his son never returned and for his parents that left many questions unanswered.

About a month after the last sighting James stopped claiming unemployment benefits.

His parents contacted the National Missing Persons register and this summer James picture appeared on the giant screen on the main stage at Glastonbury Festival.

A staggering 210,000 people go missing in Britain every year although many of these return home.

The National Missing Persons scheme now register 10,000 people a year.

For the Elam family it is a nightmare that will not go away. "It seems he has vanished of the face of the earth," said his father David.

"Sometimes you give up hope of seeing him it leaves you confused and you wake up in the middle of the night."

He said his son, like many young men coming to terms with modern day society, suffered drink and drug problems, although he was making a strong fight against his addictions.

"Someone has to do something. We think about him all the time and his brother has travelled all over the country. But it is a case of where do you start looking," said David.

"If he is happy that's fine. But we just need to know something."

If you have seen James, please call the confidential National Missing Persons Helpline on Freefone 0500 700 700.