Parents’ fury over delay in reporting son missing
Parents’ Fury Over Delay in Reporting Son Missing
The parents of a soldier who went missing have criticized the Army for not noticing their son’s absence for two weeks, claiming this delay might have cost him his life. L/Cpl Ryan Rudd, 28, was last spotted at the New Inn in Selby on 15 February, after which he did not return to his barracks at Catterick Garrison. Ken and Kerstin Rudd, from Pocklington, revealed they only learned of his disappearance on 1 March when a senior officer called to ask if he was at home. The couple said the two-week gap left investigators “two weeks behind” in locating their son.
Ken Rudd explained he had assumed Ryan was back on base as usual after the initial call. “We were told he hadn’t returned, and we quickly contacted the police,” he said. Kerstin Rudd described the situation as “awful,” emphasizing the shock of the Army’s failure to track their son. “No one had noticed he was missing for two weeks,” she added, expressing disbelief at the oversight.
Army Procedures and Parental Concerns
Ken, an ex-Army member, mentioned that the base uses both manual and electronic roll calls to monitor soldiers’ whereabouts. “They are meant to cross-check if someone is on a course or off-base,” he said, highlighting that Ryan wasn’t verified for two consecutive Mondays. This, he argued, left police without critical lead time. Kerstin noted the delay might have erased evidence from the night of the incident, suggesting it could have been “washed away with the rain or whatever.”
According to the couple, Ryan had been with a friend from a different unit. They split up while he finished a drink, with plans to meet again at another pub. However, Ryan was denied entry, and the family believes his friend was on a course for two weeks. “We don’t know if he reached out to anyone to confirm Ryan wasn’t with him,” Kerstin said. The parents insist Ryan would not have vanished voluntarily, stating it’s “out of character” for him. “He’s a soldier—he always comes home,” Ken added.
North Yorkshire Police have maintained an open stance on Ryan’s disappearance, acknowledging the possibility he entered the River Ouse. In a statement, the Army confirmed Ryan was reported missing on 1 March 2026 and is working with police to investigate. “We are unable to provide further details at this time,” the statement noted. The couple hopes sharing their story might trigger memories from Selby, urging anyone with insights to help uncover what happened.
“For missing those two weeks and not knowing where he was, this has potentially cost my son his life,” Ken Rudd said.
“If there’s anyone in Selby who was around at the time and hadn’t heard Ryan was missing, the slightest detail might help the police find out what happened,” Kerstin Rudd added.
The couple’s frustration underscores their belief that Ryan’s disappearance was not intentional. They described him as someone who “enjoyed being in the Army” and would not have left without cause. As the investigation continues, the family remains determined to seek answers.
