Parents’ fury over delay in reporting son missing
Parents’ fury over delay in reporting son missing
Ken and Kerstin Rudd, from Pocklington, have expressed anger at the Army’s failure to notice their son had not returned to barracks for two weeks, claiming it may have cost him his life. L/Cpl Ryan Rudd, 28, was last seen on 15 February during a night out at the New Inn in Selby and did not return to Catterick Garrison. The couple learned of his absence only on 1 March when a senior officer called to ask if he was at home, highlighting the two-week gap as a critical delay.
“The fact that nobody had noticed he was missing for two weeks. It was shocking, we couldn’t believe it was happening,” said Kerstin Rudd.
The Army confirmed that Ryan was reported missing to North Yorkshire Police on 1 March 2026, with an investigation ongoing. Officers are collaborating with the local police force to determine what occurred. Ken Rudd, an ex-Army veteran, noted that the base uses both a manual and electronic roll call system. “They are meant to cross-reference to see if they are on a course, not on a course, or where they are,” he explained. “He didn’t get cross-checked two Mondays in a row. That put the police in an unfortunate situation of being two weeks behind in looking for my son.”
Ken described his frustration, stating the delay “potentially cost my son his life.” He and his wife believed Ryan had been with a friend from another unit and split up while he finished a drink. Kerstin added that they had agreed to meet in another pub, but Ryan was refused entry. “As far as we understand, his friend was on a course for two weeks, so we presume he went off from Selby to his course,” she said. “We don’t know if he contacted anyone to say he hadn’t had any contact with Ryan.”
The couple emphasized that Ryan would not have disappeared voluntarily. “It’s out of character for him,” Ken said. “He’s a soldier, it’s in his nature to go out with mates, go everywhere, city breaks on his own, but he always comes home.” Kerstin added, “He had no reason to vanish and was enjoying his time in the Army. We think something happened that night and don’t know if it was an accident or something more sinister, because there’s nothing to show what occurred.”
North Yorkshire Police have stated they remain open-minded about Ryan’s disappearance but noted the possibility that he may have entered the River Ouse. In a statement, the Army said: “We can confirm that Lance Corporal Ryan Rudd was reported missing to North Yorkshire Police on 1 March 2026. An investigation is under way and we are working with North Yorkshire Police who are leading this. We are unable to offer further detail at this time.”
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
