Shock sightings of Steven Cooper missing for 20 months

Sep 28 2009 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Mr Cooper’s disappearance was discovered at about 5am on January 21 when his partner, Claire Lodge, noticed his Ford Focus car was missing.

He had not taken any other possessions.

A receipt was later found in the abandoned car from Morrisons supermarket at Greenock, west of Glasgow. But there were few other clues about his journey that day.

The massive search operation that followed involved an RAF helicopter and mountain search-and-rescue teams.

National appeals also failed to prompt any positive leads.

In August last year Mr Cooper’s son, Nathan, now 20, appealed for people to help.

Trish said things were no easier for the family now, especially because Mr Cooper’s brother, Mark, is seriously ill in hospital.

She said: “We keep asking ourselves why he hasn’t been in touch. You don’t know what goes through people’s heads when they go missing and that’s the hardest thing for us – we have no idea.

“It doesn’t get any easier. I can’t believe it has been 20 months – it has gone so quickly.”

Last week the Missing People charity told the family Mr Cooper’s image would feature on milk bottles to keep up the search.

And in a direct appeal to Mr Cooper, Trish said: “Please get in touch. If you don’t want to speak to us, just contact the police to let us know that you’re safe and well.

“We are missing you so much, every single day and we just want you home safe.”

Anyone with any information should call the Kirklees Missing Persons Unit via 0845 6060606.