Mystery of missing man who boarded train to come home but never returned | UK | News

The baffling case of a man who vanished after boarding a train is nearing its second week. Lee Horton, aged 36, was declared missing on Wednesday, March 12, following his last known contact around noon on Tuesday, March 11.

Lee, a resident of Evesham in Worcestershire, reached out to his family on Tuesday, March 11, informing them that he was in Bristol and planned to take a train home. However, he never arrived.

He had assured his family that he would be returning by train and had purchased a ticket to his home station, Worcester, in cash. But police have now confirmed that he did not disembark the train at that location.

According to Avon and Somerset Police, it has been determined that Lee attempted but failed to secure accommodation in Bristol early on Tuesday, and later visited a bank in Clifton. CCTV footage has verified his presence on Upper Maudlin Street at 10.45am on Tuesday and on Queens Road around 11am.

Lee is described as being 5ft 11ins tall, white, with short dark brown hair and a beard. He has a distinctive birthmark on his right arm, reports the Mirror.

At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a blue jacket, dark jeans and was carrying a large black rucksack with red tags.

All leads are being pursued, including thorough CCTV reviews and enquiries with hotels. Lee’s anxious family travelled to Bristol and met with senior investigating officers on Friday, March 14.

His family stated that his trip to Bristol isn’t unusual as he enjoys exploring new locations, but his lack of communication is uncharacteristic.

In a new development, thorough CCTV investigations have shown that he left Bristol and travelled to Gloucester. Attempts were made to book a hotel in Bristol on Tuesday morning, but cash payments were not accepted.

Due to the lack of financial and phone activity since midday on 11 March, officers have been conducting meticulous and time-consuming CCTV checks. In their efforts to locate Lee, footage from nearly 100 cameras has been reviewed, tracing Lee’s movements from Upper Maudlin Street back to Bristol Temple Meads station.

Detectives have now verified that he purchased a ticket to Worcester in cash and boarded a train around 2.40pm on Tuesday, March 11. Officers journeyed to Worcester Shrub Hill station and determined that he did not disembark there.

Since then, detectives have been examining each station along the route and have spotted Lee on CCTV exiting the train at Gloucester, and departing Gloucester station at 3.33pm on 11 March. The most recent sighting shows him leaving ASDA Gloucester and heading towards Station Road at 3.46pm.

Over 34 officers have been tirelessly scouring for any trace of the missing Lee, engaging in extensive investigation including questioning hotels, transportation services, and connecting with family and colleagues along with collaborations with British Transport Police and West Mercia Police.

Detective Inspector Tim Mullins commented: « Throughout this investigation we have kept an open mind and followed up every potential sighting and piece of information. »

Elaborating on the complexities of the search, he added, « Carrying out CCTV enquiries is challenging work. In many cases only certain staff at premises with private CCTV can access the system, while others require a formal application to a head office, adding delays to the process. »

Despite these hurdles, DI Mullins affirmed, « We can now be confident that Lee travelled out of Bristol by train as planned, but remain concerned for his welfare as he has yet to return home or contact his family. We will work with our colleagues in Gloucestershire Police to progress the enquiry. »

In a pressing appeal to the public, authorities urge anyone with immediate knowledge of Lee’s whereabouts to dial 999, or for any additional information to contact 101, quoting the Avon and Somerset Police reference 5225073912.

The community is asked to review any dashcam, CCTV, or other footage that may provide clues to Lee’s location. The police are also asking the public to stay vigilant for a large black rucksack with red tags that matches the description of Lee’s belongings.

Citizens are furthermore encouraged to check their outbuildings in case Lee has sought temporary refuge there.