The sister of missing Manic Street Preacher Richey Edwards has spoken at the UK’s first Parliamentary inquiry into missing people.
Rachel Elias, the sister of missing Manic Street Preacher Richey Edwards, spoke at the hearing and outlined her support for the introduction of a Presumption of Death Act, which would make it easier to register a missing person as dead.
Speaking before her appearance at the inquiry, she told the BBC: “It was very difficult.
“There was no advisory organisation out there to help us to know what to expect.
“It was difficult enough for us, and for families who have wider issues to deal with such as dissolving a marriage or dealing with joint assets, it’s an even more difficult process.”
The guitarist disappeared in 1995 but it was not until 2008 that he was legally declared dead after it took her family four years to obtain a court order.
Over 250,000 people go missing in the UK every year and the absence of a body can make it very difficult to finalise a missing persons financial affairs.
The Parliamentary inquiry was co-chaired by Islwyn MP Chris Evans. He said: “When someone goes missing the impact on the family left behind is awful. The uncertainty surrounding a missing person is often made worse by the fact that little is understood about the emotional, legal and financial burdens for those whose loved one has gone missing.
“This inquiry was an opportunity to hear from those who have firsthand experience of losing someone close to them. Their harrowing stories led me to believe that more has to be done to help the families of missing people.”