Parents’ fury over delay in reporting son missing

Parents’ Anger Over Army’s Delay in Reporting Son’s Disappearance

The parents of a soldier missing since February have criticized the Army for failing to notice his absence for two weeks, claiming this oversight may have cost him his life. L/Cpl Ryan Rudd, 28, was last spotted at the New Inn in Selby on the early morning of 15 February and did not return to his barracks at Catterick Garrison. Ken and Kerstin Rudd, from Pocklington, said they were unaware of his absence until a senior officer called them on March 1, asking if he was home. The couple described the two-week gap as critical, stating it left authorities with little chance to locate their son.

Army’s Response to the Delay

Ken Rudd, who served in the military, explained that the Army relies on both manual and electronic roll calls to track soldiers. “They’re supposed to cross-check presence to confirm whether someone is on a course or off base,” he said. “He didn’t get checked two Mondays in a row, which left the police two weeks behind in the search.” Kerstin added, “Nobody noticed he was missing for two weeks. It was shocking, we couldn’t believe it was happening.” She feared any clues from that night had been “washed away with the rain or whatever,” leaving the case unresolved.

Details of the Disappearance

The couple revealed Ryan had been with a friend from a different unit. They split up during a night out, with Ryan finishing a drink before heading to another pub. However, he was denied entry, prompting the family to assume he had left Selby for his course. “We don’t know if he contacted anyone to say he hadn’t seen Ryan,” Kerstin said. The family believes their son would not have vanished on his own, calling it “out of character for him.” “He’s a soldier, he always comes home,” Ken emphasized.

Police and Army Investigations

North Yorkshire Police have stated they remain “open-minded” about Ryan’s disappearance but noted the possibility he “entered the River Ouse.” The Army confirmed in a statement that L/Cpl Ryan Rudd was reported missing to the police on March 1, 2026. “An investigation is under way, and we are working closely with North Yorkshire Police,” the statement read. “Further details cannot be shared at this time.” The family hopes sharing their story might help jog someone’s memory, urging locals in Selby to recall any information from the night of February 15.

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