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Missing couple’s mystery disappearance ‘out of character’, police say

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police

Jessica Coates
Wednesday 02 April 2025 08:56 BST
Handout photo supplied by Dorset Police showing missing couple John and Joan (Dorset Police/PA)
Handout photo supplied by Dorset Police showing missing couple John and Joan (Dorset Police/PA)

A Dorchester couple's failure to return home after visiting family in Essex has sparked concern, with police describing their disappearance as "out of character."

76-year-olds John and Joan were last seen in the Clacton area on March 27 and are believed to have left Essex the following day.

While Dorset Police believe the couple returned to the Dorset area, they have not been seen at their home, and their current location remains unknown. Adding to the concern, the couple were travelling in a red Ford Kuga, registration HF74 KRO, which has also not been located. Police are urging anyone with information about the couple's whereabouts or who may have seen their vehicle to contact them immediately.

Inspector Charlotte Lee said: “We understand it is very out of character for John and Joan to go missing like this, so we are keen to find them and make sure they are all right.

“I would urge anyone with information regarding their whereabouts to please make contact with us immediately. We also want to encourage anyone who comes across the vehicle described above to please report it to police.

“Finally, I would like to make an appeal directly to John and Joan, if you see this to please make contact with us or your family and let us know where you are. We all just want to check that you are OK.”

John is described as about five feet ten inches tall with a slim build. His short grey hair, tinged with red, is thinning on top, and he sometimes wears glasses.

Joan stands around five feet two inches tall with a larger build. Her blonde hair, now turning grey, reaches the nape of her neck.

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250044523.

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