Ricky Harris’ family have not seen or heard from him for more than a year and now they’ve received a disturbing message
The family of a missing man fear he has “been murdered” as they approach 20 months with no answers. Ricky Harris, from Aberdare, was last seen on CCTV at around 2.20pm on Saturday, November 18, 2023. The footage, taken from near his flat at Maes-Y-Deri, Aberaman, was captured just hours after his aunt, Nina Harris, dropped him home from a friend’s house.
Speaking to WalesOnline previously, Nina said Ricky seemed like his usual self that day, however she noted it was strange for him to have requested a lift for what should have been a five-minute walk. She added that Ricky “looked shifty or nervous” when she reviewed CCTV footage of their last interaction.
Now 19 months on since her nephew’s disappearance Nina has revealed that the family received a disturbing letter which alleges that Ricky has been murdered.
The letter, seen by WalesOnline, suggests a location where Ricky has been “buried under gravel”.
The letter was not intended for Ricky’s family but was passed on by someone who felt they had a “right to know”, Nina claimed.
Nina said she received it just short of a year ago, but claimed police had not taken it seriously.
“We’ve had this letter for the last 10 months but the police have ignored it,” she said. “When I read it my heart sank. Seeing it written down is more than a verbal rumour.
“The police said they would speak to [the person referred to in the letter] but that [they were unable] to speak to them.
“At first we had a little bit of hope, but we are speaking out now because it has been so long since we received the letter.
“I’m not just going to sit back and leave him missing, I want him found. I have been constantly ringing for updates and I’m sick of calling 101, I’m sick of arguing with the police. It’s a shambles.”
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Further to this, she said the family is concerned that officers had not yet obtained permission to access Ricky’s social media accounts to check for potential evidence.
She said: “It’s been 20 months now and they haven’t even looked into Ricky’s Facebook account. I know this because they told me.
“If someone is [being investigated] for a drugs offence the first thing they do is get on their Facebook account but when someone is missing, why not? They don’t know what messages he sent or received before he went missing. That should have been done at the very beginning.”
Recalling the last time she saw Ricky, she said: “That day I just knew something wasn’t right. When you know someone and know their ways, you can just tell.
“It is very out of character for Ricky to go missing; he doesn’t go and wander, he is a home bird.
“A week before he had pneumonia and they took a litre of fluid off his lungs. On the Monday before he went missing he signed himself out of hospital.
“[At the time] the police said he could have walked off and collapsed somewhere, but if that happened, he would have likely been found now. They said we need to keep all options open and not just assume he is dead.”
Nina said the family also continue to be tormented by prank calls and “twisted” people using fake social media accounts claiming to be withholding information about Ricky’s whereabouts.
She said as a family they believe he is dead, and fear he has been “murdered”.
She said: “It’s devastating as a family and we believe the outcome [is that he is dead] but he deserves to have a proper funeral. I’m still awake until silly times in the morning. I wake up and I can’t get it out of my head. It’s just crazy.
“You think of all sorts, did he suffer? Was it sudden? Someone evil knows something and they’re not speaking up.”
She added: “He is so missed and loved it is unreal, it’s heartbreaking and cruel. At the end of the day he’s someone’s son and he’s my nephew, and I’ll do anything I’ve got to do to find him.”
Detective Inspector Owain Morris said: “South Wales Police is actively pursuing a detailed and comprehensive investigation into the disappearance of Ricky Harris.
“Since Ricky’s disappearance, we have conducted extensive searches utilising our Specialist Search officers, which includes specialised units such as the dive team, dog scent teams, and support from the police helicopter (NPAS) and drone teams.
“The investigation has reached beyond local boundaries, with inquiries extending as far as North Wales.
“Officers are continually reviewing any new information that emerges, ensuring that all leads are thoroughly examined. Every reported sighting and tip-off from the public has been diligently followed up, and all practical and reasonable physical search opportunities have been explored to the best of their capabilities.
“This includes thorough examinations of numerous locations, such as rivers, waterways, and areas of dense vegetation.
“I would like to emphasise that the investigation remains ongoing, and we are committed in our efforts to locate Ricky. Ricky’s family have been kept updated on all developments related to the search for him.”
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