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Sister launches appeal to find brother Ian Bushell who has been missing from Thamesmead for 32 years
10:48, 14 February 2020
updated: 13:16, 14 February 2020
The sister of a man who went missing more than 30 years ago is appealing for the public's help to trace him.
Ian Bushell, from Thamesmead, was last seen aged 21 by his father Wilton on Wednesday, January 20 1988 when he was 21.
When Wilton next visited Ian’s flat just weeks later on Tuesday, February 16 there was no answer at the door and he let himself in.
There was no trace of Ian despite the rest of his possessions, including his clothes, wallet and keys all being in the house.
Ian’s father reported his son as missing to police and inquiries were made to try and find him.
Despite numerous appeals for information, Ian – who would have been 54 today – has never been found.
His sister Rosalind said: “I was only 16 when my big brother went missing and I have thought of him every day for the last 32 years.
“My dad passed away two years later in 1989 and my mother in 2010, so now it is just me.
“I have no other siblings and would give anything to have my big brother back home or find out what happened to him.”
Police believe that Ian had been upset about something when he was last visited by his father but it is unknown what was troubling him.
Two unconfirmed sightings have been reported in north east London, the most recent being in 2007, but did not lead officers to finding him.
PC Greg Humphrey, from the South East Missing Person Unit, said: “Ian’s family have not seem him since the late 1980's but time has not lessened their pain and worry.
“His parents sadly died without finding out what had happened to their son and we are now trying our best to get answers for his sister.
“We know there were two unconfirmed sightings of Ian over ten years ago but since then the trail has gone cold.
“Any piece of information, no matter how small, could be the missing piece of the jigsaw we need.”
Police are now urging anyone who knows where he might be or believes they have seen him at any point to get in touch.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting missing person reference 08MIS005765.
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