Justice for Lewis Penfold Roche — Six Weeks Missing, Found in the River Tees, Still Searching for Answers

 

My son Lewis went missing. Six weeks later, he was found dead in the River Tees. We still do not know what happened to him.

 

On 28 January 2024, my son Lewis Penfold Roche, aged 18, was last seen on Station Road in Billingham, heading towards Central Avenue. From that last reported sighting then 6 weeks later lewis was found on 11 march 2024.

we were left desperately searching for answers about where he went and what happened to him.

 

Police carried out searches. Specialist teams were involved. Areas were searched, enquiries were made and CCTV footage was examined. I acknowledge that searches took place, and I am not saying that nothing was done.

 

But as Lewis's mum, I am still left with questions.

 

What exactly was done to find my son? Which areas were searched, and how thoroughly? What specialist search methods and equipment were used? What did the searches establish? What CCTV was obtained and reviewed, and what did it show? Were all relevant lines of enquiry fully explored?

 

Lewis was missing for more than six weeks before his body was found in the River Tees near Tees Barrage on 11 March 2024.

 

That is six weeks of not knowing where my son was, followed by the devastating discovery of his body, and an ongoing struggle to understand what happened.

 

The post-mortem results have not given us the answers we need. The inquest process continues, and I am still chasing disclosure and explanations. Our concerns and questions remain, and I do not feel that our family has been given the clarity we need.

 

We still do not know whether Lewis died from natural causes, an accident, an overdose, suicide or another cause. I am not claiming to know what happened. I want the evidence and the unanswered questions to be properly examined so that we have the best possible opportunity to understand the truth.

 

A family should not have to become investigators themselves while grieving the loss of their child.

 

Families deserve clear information about the steps taken to find their loved ones, the enquiries conducted after a death, the evidence considered and the reasons behind investigative decisions. They deserve to have their concerns recorded, considered and answered, rather than being left to chase disclosure and explanations for months or years.

 

I am calling for:

 

1. A clear and accessible account of the searches and investigative enquiries carried out in missing-person cases that end in an unexplained death.

2. Families' reasonable questions and concerns to be formally recorded and answered.

3. Timely disclosure of relevant evidence, subject to lawful restrictions and ongoing proceedings.

4. Independent scrutiny when credible concerns arise about whether an investigation was sufficiently thorough.

5. Better communication, clear timescales and proper support for families throughout investigations and inquests.

6. National standards to help ensure that no bereaved family is left feeling that they must fight alone to understand what happened to their loved one.

 

This campaign is for my son, Lewis Penfold Roche. It is also for every family who has experienced the agony of a missing loved one, the devastation of an unexplained death and the endless search for answers afterwards.

 

I cannot change what happened to Lewis. But I can keep asking questions, keep seeking answers and campaign for a system that treats families with transparency, compassion and respect.

 

Lewis deserves to be remembered. His family deserves answers. And other families deserve better support and accountability.

 

Please support this campaign for answers for Lewis and meaningful change for bereaved families.