This month marks 25 years since the disappearance of Manic Street Preachers’ guitarist and lyricist Richey Edwards.
Edwards, who grew up in Blackwood, went missing in 1995, aged 27. He was last seen on CCTV footage at the Embassy Hotel in London on February 1.
His car was found on Valentine’s Day parked at the Severn View service station
The former Oakdale Comprehensive pupil had been set to travel to the United States alongside Manics frontman James Dean Bradfield on the day of his disappearance.
In 2008, Edwards’ family registered him as ‘presumed dead’.
Since his disappearance, Edwards’ sister, Rachel Elias, has raised awareness of the issues caused by a loved one disappearing and played a major part in the campaign for the Guardianship Act – which allows relatives to manage their missing person’s finances. The Act became law last year.
Edwards was involved in five albums with the Manics – Generation Terrorists, Gold Against the Soul and The Holy Bible, as well as Everything Must Go, which was released after his disappearance.
The 2009 album, Journal for Plague Lovers, exclusively used lyrics written by Edwards.
Edwards was one of 21 missing people whose portrait was shown at the Unmissable Exhibition in London last March.
On the 25th anniversary of Edwards’ disappearance, the Missing People charity made a new appeal for information.
Kate Graham, of the charity Missing People, said: “Richard, if you are reading this, please call or text us on our free phone number, 116 000.
“It’s confidential and we can’t trace your call. We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe. The helpline is here to support people who are missing or thinking of going missing and their loved ones who are left behind.”