Mum of missing Wisbech man Terry McSpadden hopes this is the year the case is finally solved

The mum of missing Wisbech man Terry McSpadden is hoping this is the year there is finally a break-through in his case – after 18 years of uncertainty.

Speaking ahead of the anniversary of her son’s disappearance on Friday, March 2, 2007 Helen Thrower (McSpadden) has issued a heartfelt plea to anyone with the “teeniest” piece of information to come forward.

Helen said: “It doesn’t matter how small or irrelevant it may seem to them, it could be the key to solving what happened to Terry 18 years ago and giving us the closure we so desperately want.”

Terry disappeared after a night out at the Locomotive pub in Wisbech, an electronic tag he was wearing at the time placed him at a property in Outwell Road, Elm, where he had been staying with a friend at around 8.40am on the morning he went missing – he has not been heard of since.

Helen, who has looked after Terry’s children Kayce and Charlie for the past 13 years, admits there is little hope her son, who was 24 at the time of his disappearance, will be found alive, but she said there is still a “tiny slither of hope” in her heart that will not die until she has the answers to what happened all those years ago.

The recent conviction of David Newton in the case of Wisbech pensioner Una Crown – 13 years after she was murdered in her home in Magazine Lane – has given a glimmer of hope that the mystery of what happened to Terry will also be eventually solved.

“It does give me hope. That poor woman was killed 13 years ago, and they have finally got an answer to what happened to her. If it can happen in that case, then it could happen in Terry's, which is why it is so important that anyone with information comes forward,” said Helen.

Kayce was just four when her dad went missing, and Charlie, who is about to become a dad himself, was just 18 months old.

Helen said Kayce has some very vague memories of her dad.

“She can remember him swooshing the bath water to make bubbles, but she cannot remember a lot else,” said Helen.

“It is sad because Charlie has no memory of his dad – but he is so much like him. He is a comedian like Terry, and comes out with daft sayings just like him. Sometimes I have to do a double take because he has so many of his mannerisms.”

Helen said the whole family grieves for all the memories that have been lost.

She said: “Terry has missed all the milestones of his children growing up. Kayce looked absolutely gorgeous on her prom night, and I know Terry would have been so proud of her. Now he is going to miss out on being a grandad and I have no doubt he would have been a hands-on grandad, because he did a lot for his children.

“It’s all the thoughts of what could have been that make me angry. I have missed out on all these years with my son, and the children have had to grow-up without their dad and not knowing what happened to him.

“I know there is little chance Terry will be found alive, but it would be wonderful if we could finally say a proper goodbye and know where he is, and to understand what happened to him – that would mean the world to us.

“I am sure there are people out there who know something, friends of Terry’s who have probably moved on with their lives, have children of their own, or are grandparents and I would say to them, look at your family and think ‘how would they cope’ if you were to disappear without a trace?

“That is the reality our family has had to deal with and it has not been easy.”

An inquest held in November 2016 recorded an open verdict with the coroner, Jacqueline Lake, stating it is likely Terry died on the day he disappeared.

There have been numerous appeals over the years, and there has also been a cold case review, but there has never been the one vital clue that finally solves the mystery and Helen is really praying this is the year that happens.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Norfolk Police quoting crime reference 36/39431/16 via any of the following channels: Website: https://www.norfolk.police.uk/tell-us or phone: 01953 423819 or email: unsolvedcasereviews@norfolk.police.uk

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.