Russell Blent: Police in new appeal over Shrewsbury man missing for a year

Russell Blent was last seen alive a year ago and an appeal was made on Friday to coincide with the anniversary.

Since disappearing, his money has remained untouched and there has been no contact with friends or family – something which is totally out of character for the man described as a 'homebird'.

DCI Neil Jamieson from West Mercia Police's major incident unit today said the case is proving a major challenge for him and his team.

He said: "We are desperate to find as much information as we can. We just want to get Russell back to his family.

"The anniversary of his disappearance last week gave us a chance for a new appeal for anybody with information to come forward."

Russell was last seen alive on March 17, 2016 in the Oteley Road area close to the slip road between the football ground and Meole Brace roundabout. He was wearing blue jogging bottoms and a grey waterproof jacket. The detective said: "The inquiry is still live and it is completely out of character for Russell to have gone missing. Russell was born in Meole Brace, went to school in Meole Brace and lived in Meole Brace all his life. He was always in and around the Meole estate and was very well known. He was a real homebird.

"We know he spent some of his time in Bridgnorth in the weeks before his disappearance and that he had been there on March 16. But, although he may have spent the odd night or two there, he always came home. That is why we are treating this as suspicious. We really do not know the answers that we need to know. If anybody has any information we urge them to come forward. We want to reunite Russell with his family, with his parents, siblings and children. They are desperate to find him. We cannot rule out foul play. There are many questions we are asking – has Russell been subjected to a criminal act? Has something befallen him? I cannot rule that out. There is nothing to suggest that that is the case but when we find Russell many of these questions will be answered."

Police officers and dog handlers have carried out extensive searches of land close to the Meole estate including woodland near to the Rea Brook, areas around the football ground and golf course and further afield in Bayston Hill and its neighbouring quarry and also at locations in Bridgnorth.

"We have done extensive searches of the area and beyond and have found no signs of Russell," added DCI Jamieson. "We are desperate to find him on behalf of the family and we can only do that with the help of the public."

Anyone with information should contact the major incident unit in Shrewsbury on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org

Russell is described as white, 6ft 1ins tall and of a stocky build.