Family issue public plea for information to help finding missing student Charley Gadd

The parents of missing student Charley Gadd have issued an urgent plea to the public to help find their son.

20-year-old Charley has not been seen since the early hours of Saturday morning.

Charley had initially been to Warehouse Project, but was reported missing afterwards, and a CCTV image of his last known movements was then released on Monday (13 December) after Greater Manchester Police said it had discovered he was last seen just before 1.15am on Saturday outside the Royal Exchange Theatre, and was heading towards St Annes Street in the city centre.

He is described as a white male of skinny build, 5ft 9 inches, with mousy brown hair, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans.

Now, his parents have spoken out and issued an appeal.

Charley’s father, Jolyon Gadd, said in his appeal: “We were out with Charley on Friday night and Saturday morning on the 11 December and had a lovely time together.

“We were near the Spar Store in St Mary’s Gate at around 1.10am when Charley ran off [and] we spent many hours then and later in the early hours looking for him before reporting him missing to the police around 11am.

“Charley is not familiar with Manchester and may have got lost and not been able to find his way back to his hotel.”

Mr Gadd continued: “Charley is a very bright, warm, funny and loving man who everybody hugely enjoys being around.

“He is in the second year of a film and media degree course at the University of Essex in Colchester where he is well liked and flat shares with friends. We have heard nothing from him since he ran off and my wife and I and his brothers Bruno and Rufus are desperate for any news of him.

“We are obviously extremely worried.

Read more: Police release CCTV of missing Charley Gadd’s last known movements in Manchester

“As we do not live in the area, we would ask local people and businesses to help us by looking in outbuilding, vehicles, bins, and anywhere else that Charley may have taken shelter to keep warm on Saturday morning.

“We really appreciate all the support and kind comments given by local people on social media, and ask that you please keep this in the public eye locally until we find Charley.

“However, we would ask that our privacy also please be respected at this time.”

Greater Manchester Police has confirmed that enquiries into Charley’s disappearance are ongoing and searches are being carried out, but say that officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen Charley or has any information.

Anyone with information about Charley’s whereabouts should contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency and quote log 149 of 12/12/2021.

Featured Image – Greater Manchester Police