A mother whose son has been missing for more than a decade has called for help in solving his disappearance as she faces yet another Christmas without him.
Scott Fletcher was last seen alive on May 11, 2011, near the Jet garage on the A181 at Wheatley Hill.
Despite numerous appeals to trace the missing dad detectives launched a murder investigation in 2015.
His mother, Julie, lost her husband John earlier this year after a long period of ill health.
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She said: “As a family we have suffered greatly over the years as we try to process life without Scott and now also without his dad who died without any answers as to what happened to him, and that is so upsetting to us.
“We just want to know the truth. The pain and agony that we suffer on a daily basis is indescribable.
“I urge anyone who knows what happened to Scott to get in touch, anonymously if they wish, and end our pain and torment once and for all.”
Scott, from Hartlepool, was 27-years-old when he disappeared and there has been no recorded sightings of him since.
Police think he may have been murdered in the Durham area and continue to appeal for help to solve the crime.
Detective Inspector Jim Allen said: “As Scott’s family prepare for another difficult Christmas without him, made even more difficult by the death of John earlier this year, we’re again appealing for anyone with information regarding Scott’s murder to come forward.
“It may be that, as time has passed, someone may feel as if they can now divulge information which they couldn’t previously. I’d urge anyone who has information to bring the suffering to an end for Scott’s family, by helping us piece together what happened to him. Anyone with information can also contact Crimestoppers completely anonymously.”
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Officers made a national appeal on Crimewatch in September 2021 for any information on Scott’s murder, alongside his mum, Julie.
Seven men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder but they were later released. Officers believe that Scott was killed in the Durham area and his body was concealed shortly afterwards.
Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning 0800 555 111.
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