Family of vanished man receive letter about 'location of his body'
Relatives have no firm information about his fate and fear he has been "murdered". Ricky, of Aberdare, was last seen on CCTV at around 2.20pm on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Footage, taken from near his flat at Maes-Y-Deri, Aberaman, was captured just hours after his aunt, Nina Harris, dropped him home from a friend's house. Nina said Ricky have previously said he seemed like his usual self that day, reports WalesOnline. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
However, she noted it was strange for him to have requested a lift for what should have been a five-minute walk. She added that Ricky 'looked shifty or nervous' when she reviewed CCTV footage of their last interaction.
Nina has now revealed that the family have received a disturbing letter which alleges that her nephew Ricky has been murdered. The letter, seen by WalesOnline, suggests a location where Ricky has been 'buried under gravel'.
The letter was not intended for Ricky's family but was passed on by someone who felt they had a 'right to know', Nina claimed. She said the family is also concerned that officers had not yet obtained permission to access Ricky's social media accounts to check for potential evidence.
She said: 'It's been 20 months now and they haven't even looked into Ricky's Facebook account. I know this because they told me."
She added: 'If someone is [being investigated] for a drugs offence the first thing they do is get on their Facebook account but when someone is missing, why not? They don't know what messages he sent or received before he went missing.
"That should have been done at the very beginning.' Recalling the last time she saw Ricky, she said: 'That day I just knew something wasn't right. When you know someone and know their ways, you can just tell.
'It is very out of character for Ricky to go missing; he doesn't go and wander, he is a home bird. A week before he had pneumonia and they took a litre of fluid off his lungs.
"On the Monday before he went missing he signed himself out of hospital. [At the time] the police said he could have walked off and collapsed somewhere, but if that happened, he would have likely been found now.
"They said we need to keep all options open and not just assume he is dead.'
Nina said the family also continue to be tormented by prank calls and 'twisted' people using fake social media accounts claiming to be withholding information about Ricky's whereabouts.
She said: 'It's devastating as a family and we believe the outcome [is that he is dead] but he deserves to have a proper funeral. I'm still awake until silly times in the morning. I wake up and I can't get it out of my head. It's just crazy.
'You think of all sorts, did he suffer? Was it sudden? Someone evil knows something and they're not speaking up.'
She added: 'He is so missed and loved it is unreal, it's heartbreaking and cruel. At the end of the day he's someone's son and he's my nephew, and I'll do anything I've got to do to find him.'
Detective Inspector Owain Morris said: ' South Wales Police is actively pursuing a detailed and comprehensive investigation into the disappearance of Ricky Harris.
'Since Ricky's disappearance, we have conducted extensive searches utilising our Specialist Search officers, which includes specialised units such as the dive team, dog scent teams, and support from the police helicopter (NPAS) and drone teams. The investigation has reached beyond local boundaries, with inquiries extending as far as North Wales."
He added: 'Officers are continually reviewing any new information that emerges, ensuring that all leads are thoroughly examined. Every reported sighting and tip-off from the public has been diligently followed up, and all practical and reasonable physical search opportunities have been explored to the best of their capabilities.
"This includes thorough examinations of numerous locations, such as rivers, waterways, and areas of dense vegetation. I would like to emphasise that the investigation remains ongoing.
"We are committed in our efforts to locate Ricky. Ricky's family have been kept updated on all developments related to the search for him.'
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