15 November 2023 , 19:00
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Is he living under the radar with a new identity or has something more sinister happened?
This is the frightful question on the lips of the devastated family of Marcus Rigby, who has been searching for him ever since he disappeared in April 1995. The father, aged 27 at the time, suddenly moved away from Grange Over Sands, Cumbria, to start a new life away from home by the sea in Dorset.
He told his mother he'd call a week later, but they never heard from him. In tonight's Vanished: The Search for Britain's Missing on Channel 5, host Dan Walker presents a special report on what might have happened to the father who disappeared nearly 30 years ago.
In a clip shared ahead of the new episode, when asked what a relative suspects happened to Marcus, they respond: "Maybe he's living under the radar, either under a new identity or perhaps working for cash in hand, that sort of thing." The family has teamed up with specialists from Locate International, who are shown to visit places they think might be relevant to Marcus, such as a homeless centre, armed with a new tool - an age progression image in a bid to jog people's memories.
Missing person Marcus RigbyOver the years there have been a number of 'credible' sightings, with his last known location known as Weymouth in Dorset. Twenty-eight years on, his sister, Sam Heke, told local press that they were still looking for her brother, as there was no evidence to suggest he isn't still alive.
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She told The Mail: "We are still here for him and we'd love him to be in touch with us - that's why we don't give up. We want him to know we haven't forgotten about him. We do think he's out there somewhere."
Sam, whose sister has died, admitted that she often thinks about Marcus' whereabouts and what he is doing with his life. Speaking about the loss of her other sibling, she added: "There was a finality to that, there isn't to this."
At the start of the year, police in Weymouth appealed to the public to help identify a man who had no recollection of who he was or where he came from, however, Sam was told this wasn't missing Marcus. She added: "I wasn't convinced. But you don't ever want to not follow up something for it to turn out later it was him."
The last time Marcus was said to be seen was at a bed and breakfast on Artists Row on Portland in 1995. The artist, now believed to be in his early 50s, left behind a son named Daniel, who was just six years old at the time of his disappearance.
There have been a number of reported sightings over the years, however these have been unconfirmed. Marcus is described as standing at 5ft11 with hazel eyes and brown hair, of slim build, and some reports suggest he might go by the name of Marc Smith.
Metropolitan Police undated handout photo of Lee Boxell (PA)Meanwhile, 5News anchor Dan will be joined on the show by the father of Lee Boxell, who went missing in 1988. The teen disappeared at the age of 15 after shopping in Sutton, south London, 35 years ago on September 10.
His last confirmed sighting was on Sutton High Street at around 2.20pm, police said, but there have been no other confirmed sightings of him in the decades since. In 2014, three men were arrested on suspicion of murder but were later released on bail.
There is currently a £20,000 reward for anyone who has any information on the disappearance of Lee, who would now be 50. Lee's parents, Peter and Christine Boxell, are desperate for their son to be returned to them.
Peter said: "We have not seen or heard from our dear son Lee since he went to Sutton, thirty-five years ago on 10th September 1988. He was only 15 when he disappeared. We fear that Lee may have been murdered.
"We are still hoping that someone will come forward to help find his remains, so that my wife and I can say goodbye to our beloved son before it's too late for us (we are in our late 70s). If you can help us and his sister finally know what happened and have some closure - please, do what’s right.
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"If you know where he may be, or have any information about what happened to Lee, please contact the police Investigation team on 0208721 4005 or if you prefer, you can tell the charity Crimestoppers what you know, anonymously. Once you've given your information you need never have any further involvement with anyone about the case. Crimestoppers can't identify who you are and will never ask or take any personal details from you. So, this really does give someone a chance to do the right thing and help ease our years of pain. We can then see Lee finally laid to rest".
Anyone who has seen Mr Rigby or has any information on his whereabouts is urged to call police on 101 or contact the charity Missing People UK on 116000 or make a report online at https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/help-us-find/marcus-rigby-01-001194#
Vanished: The Search for Britain's Missing airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 5.