Rory Johnson-Hatfield was 29yrs old when he went missing on a night out in York with friends in the early hours of 20 November 2015. He is from Skipton in Yorkshire and worked at Brody’s Yorkshire Pizzeria. He is 5ft 11in and was wearing a navy crew neck jumper, jeans and light grey converse when he was last seen. Rory and his friend were staying at the Travel Lodge (York Central).

A note from Liz Johnson (mother)

“Rory’s friend reported him missing when he failed to turn up for work on Saturday 21 November 2015. North Yorkshire Police released appeals and began searches promptly, but only part of the River Ouse was covered. Local media outlets published his disappearance, but the first national appeal was when Rory appeared on screen when the Missing People choir were on Britain’s Got Talent. 

Communication with the police has been frustrating and disappointing. No door to door enquiries were made at the houses in the vicinity of where Rory was last seen. Insufficient CCTV footage was secured, including key locations such as the train and bus stations. It was only through our persistence, the entire stretch of the river was searched.

In early February 2016, we instigated a search of the river banks ourselves but as it was flooded and dangerous, we asked the police for help. North Yorkshire Police flatly refused their support, but this did not deter us. With the help of my cousins, we did a search ourselves. We also arranged for a drone to fly 56 miles of the River Ouse on both banks, and Bolton Search & Rescue used specially trained dogs along the whole length of the River Ouse. 

Rorys wonderful friends from Skipton arranged a fund raising day to help with the searches. We have also donated money to the charities that have kindly helped to find our boy. With the help of Jonathon Malory, David Dunning, Samantha Biddolph and Jacqui Rhodes we made a reconstructed Rory’s last known movements. The video is available on our Facebook page.

Eventually, in 2017, after making a complaint, Hull underwater search team used sonar scanning equipment up to Boothferry Road Bridge. Since Chief Inspector Allan Westcott was put in charge of Rory’s case in May the same year, he has restored our faith as North Yorkshire Police are now doing everything possible to find our son. He arranged for Rory’s dad and myself to appear on Crimewatch Roadshow to make an appeal in June this year. Sadly, to date, no new leads have materialised as a result. 

In our opinion, there should be a framework in place for family liaison officers to have specialised training to have more empathy and understanding of the anguish and anxiety a family endure when their loved one has disappeared. As with Rory, if a family member tells police it is out of character, the risk analysis should be taken seriously.

We feel very strongly that when a person goes missing that CCTV footage around the area should be secured without delay to maximise the chance of gathering more information. Every person who goes missing should have an appeal in the national newspapers and on TV. As it stands, only the chosen few have this privilege, but ALL missing people should have the same right!!!!!”

If you have any information surrounding Rory’s disappearance, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12150207141. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use their online reporting service. Alternatively, phone or text Missing People charity on 116 000, quoting reference 15-009621.

North Yorkshire Police:

https://northyorkshire.police.uk/news/father-rory-johnson-hatfield-appeals-information/

Missing People appeal:

http://www.missingpeople.org.uk/help-us-find/rory-johnson-hatfield-15-009621

Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/roryjohnson/

Email: roryjohnsonhatfield@gmail.com

Twitter: @FindRory 

#FindRory #DamiensLaw