The parents of missing Newbridge man Kyle Vaughan have made a heart-felt appeal for fresh information exactly 12 months after he disappeared.
Mr Vaughan, 24, was last seen on December 30 last year when his damaged silver Peugeot 306 was found on the A467 between Risca and Crosskeys.
Police believe the car was in a crash and that Mr Vaughan had managed to walk away from it.
Known to friends as ‘Jabbers’, the former Cwmcarn High School pupil is suspected to have been murdered.
Speaking to the Press Association, his parents Alan and Mary Vaughan said not knowing what had happened to their son was killing them.
Mr Vaughan said: “Our family is totally devastated. We just don’t understand why Kyle was murdered.
“The people who have hurt our son, or know what happened to our son, have not just killed him but they’re killing me and Mary.”
At the time of his disappearance, police believe Kyle was wearing a dark-coloured beanie hat, a dark coloured t-shirt, three-quarters length denim shorts, white trainers and a gold chain at the time he went missing.
Detective Chief Superintendent, Peter Jones, who is leading the enquiry said: “This is one of the most extensive investigations I have worked on, and being a year on without finding Kyle is obviously extremely difficult and upsetting for his friends and family.
“This is very much still a live investigation and we remain fully committed to establishing exactly what happened to Kyle a year ago today. Someone out there will know what happened that night and I would urge them to come forward with any information they may have.
“They can do this by calling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Specialist officers remain in close contact with Kyle’s family to support them and keep them up to date on progress.
To date, as part of the investigation:
- More than 1,800 pieces of property have been analysed, including over 180 mobile phone SIM cards.
- Approximately 4,800 mobile phone contacts have been investigated and more than 10,000 lines of telecoms data (such as text messages) have been analysed.
- Officers have visited over 130 CCTV sites and analysed over 200 hours of footage.
- Over 390 statements have been collected.
- Approximately five square miles have been searched comprising routes to Kyle’s home address and the A467, which is where he was reported to be last seen.
- Search areas have included woodland and forestry, pathways and roadways, rivers and approximately 15 individuals sites identified by intelligence.
Three people remain on bail in connection with the investigation.
- A 27-year-old man from Blackwood arrested on suspicion of murder – bail date April 2014.
- A 25-year-old man from Blackwood arrested on suspicion of murder – bail date April 2014.
- A 15-year-old boy from Abercarn arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender – bail date January 2014.
Earlier this year charity Crimestoppers offered a £5,000 reward in a bid to shed new light on the investigation into Mr Vaughan’s disappearance.