Day 6 - Matthew Reilly

This episode is about a missing person so does not contain any descriptions of violence, but listener discretion is always advised. On the morning of January fourteenth, nineteen ninety nine, twenty nine year old Matthew Riley was at home with his parents, Tim and Jacqueline. Matthew had moved back to the family home three years earlier after moving back from Bath. During that time, Matthew had just completed an art course in the city and had attempted to find himself a property

to open his own art studio. Matthew was an abstract artist and was very interested in exhibiting his own work. Finding a place to do this, however, proved difficult, and while he loved living in Bath, he decided the best thing to do was moved back home for a while to try and establish himself. Three years later, Matthew was still living with his parents and had set up his

studio in the home. Matthew's father described him as having a great sense of humor that he loved, saying it was never aimed at anyone, and he had this great comfortable way about him. He was thoughtful and private. He never wore his emotions on his sleeve. Matthew was living in the family home with his parents and his sister Sarah, but despite living together, he remained quite private and independent. He didn't eat with the family and would usually keep

himself to himself. His dad, Tim said he never liked to make a fuss and just went about his life without bringing any attention to himself. Therefore, on the morning of January fourteenth, his parents didn't think much of it when he left the house without saying goodbye to them. Matthew often went on walks by himself and did not always say where he was going or when he would

be back. Jacqueline would later say that she got up from her chair to say goodbye to Matthew, but that he had already rounded the corner of the street by the time she looked out of the window to see where he was. There was no reason at that point to believe that this was anything other than his usual daily walk, and nothing stood out as strange. This did start to change, though, when Matthew hadn't returned within a couple of hours. He didn't usually leave for that long,

and so this was a bit unusual for him. The hours continued to tick by, and when Tim and Jacqueline went to bed that night and he was still not back, the worry turned into panic. Why had Matthew not returned. When the couple woke up the next morning and he was still not back, they were now concerned enough to ring the police. They officially reported Matthew missing. An investigation was quickly launched and officers began trying to locate Matthew.

They deployed a helicopter with heat seeking technology in the local area with the hope that they would find him quickly and easily. They were worried for several reasons. This was January in the UK, and even just a night outside without shelter or some support could be fatal, and so time was not on their side. There was also the fact that Matthew could have been deemed as vulnerable

during this time. His father, Tim later explained that Matthew was in a depressive state at the time that he'd disappeared. He had been feeling stressed about his work as a freelance artist, as his artwork had not been selling as well as he'd hoped that it would. Exhibitions that he was due to be part of had fallen through at the last minute, and he was creatively and financially down

at the time that he had gone missing. As well as this, he had been suffering with a viral infection at the same time, and this had added to his low mood. While these may not have been the reasons for his disappearance, it clearly had to be taken into account by the police investigating Matthew as a missing person.

Tim would later find out that there had been a four hundred pound withdrawal from Matthew's account, and this in a way supported the idea that he had had about Matthew perhaps to take a quote temporary break from the stress. Tim stated that this four hundred pounds had been sent to him by a relative for Christmas, and Matthew may have thought about using this to get away from his

current situation. There was no concrete evidence for this, though, and without finding Matthew, there was no knowing for sure. A description of him was distributed to the public as well as photographs. Matthew was described as white, five feet eleven, with short, dark brown hair and brown eyes. His parents worked closely with the police and were determined to get Matthew's story out there as well as his picture. They

were desperate to find him. Jacqueline sent over two thousand letters to businesses and organizations in the local area along with Matthew's missing poster, asking for them to display it. It was hoped that the more peace people saw Matthew's image, they may remember him or it made jog memories. This did work, as one person ranging with a tip which

could be relevant. A year after Matthew's disappearance, a former colleague of his who worked at a local pub, rang in to say that they had spotted him at Gordano service station along the M five motorway. He said he walked past Matthew on the way out of the services but didn't think anything of it at the time as he wasn't aware that Matthew was missing. He said he only realized the significance of what he'd seen around two months later, when he realized that Matthew was missing and

had been for a while. This is an important sighting as this person knew Matthew personally and would have had some idea if it was really him or not. It also highlights the importance of putting up posters and displaying information about missing people, as without it, some people may not be reporting information they have without intending to. They may just not know how relevant it is. In two thousand and five, Matthew's mum, Jacqueline, passed away from inoperable

brain cancer without finding out what happened to him. This was clearly a very traumatic time for Matthew's family, and the fact that they have been enabled to tell him about it must be heartbreaking. In two thousand and six, Tim spoke to the press saying, it has been so long since Matthew went missing and we miss him terribly. We have some very important family news concerning his mother to pass on and would dearly love to hear from Matthew. We love Matthew very very much, but do not wish

to interfere in his life. We just want to know that he is safe and well. That same year, a national missing person campaign was launched, with images of missing people being displayed around six hundred underground stations and railway stations across the UK. Matthew's image was among them, and it was hoped that again this appeal may bring information and tips from people who may not have known that they knew something important. This was not to be, however,

with nothing relevant to Matthew's disappearance coming in. Matthew's family have never given up looking for him, and over the years they have continued to appeal in any way possible for information and hope that he will return to them. Tim has explained that his disappearance has caused an emotional disturbance for his entire family, and that they continue to write Matthew's Birthday and Christmas cards. They even struck a note up on their front door for a while which

said welcome home Matthew ring the bell. They hoped every day that this would happen. Tim explained that over the years he has hoped for any contact. That one time, after a hip operation, the phone at his home rang. He couldn't get to the phone quick enough, and it rang off before he got there. He said he always regrets not reaching the phone in time in case it was Matthew. In two thousand and nine, he said, of course, it's gone through my mind that Matthew may have come

to harm, or that he might even be dead. But I soon snapped myself out of that way of thinking. If he was dead, I'm sure we'd know about it. I just want him to come back, or to at least know that he's okay. I miss him every day. I think about him all the time, and I just live with this constant sense of loss. His family had done everything they can to try and locate Matthew and have never given up on him, hoping that he will

see their appeals and come home. Tim has sadly also passed away, and this year Marx twenty five years since Matthew walked out of his house and never returned. His sister Sarah still appeals and campaigns to try and find him, and hopes that she will one day to make the twenty fifth anniversary of his disappearance. This year, Sarah posted a message saying, Matthew, it's been too long. We have a lot of catching up to do stories, to swap Paul to play You'll whoop my ass, no doubt there

are people who would love to meet you. I've been married for twenty years and you have a niece who is amazing. At least just let me know that you're well. Matthew has missed an awful lot and his family desperately want to know where he is and if he's okay. Matthew went missing in January nineteen ninety nine and may have been seen a year later the Gordano service station

on the M five motorway. A withdrawal of four hundred pounds was made from his account and he may have been able to use this to live on for a short while. Since then, however, no contact has been made and no sightings have been corroborated. Where is Matthew Riley? Missing people have said, Matthew, if you're reading this, please get in touch. You can call us on one one six zero zero zero or email one one six triple zero at missingpeople dot org dot UK. Our service is

non judgmental, confidential and free. Thanks to support from players of People's Postcode lottery. We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe. Our helpline is here to support people who are missing, thinking of going missing, and for loved ones who are left behind. The helpline is free and confidential and is operated by trained staff and volunteers. I will leave all the information in the show notes for anyone who thinks

they know anything about Matthew's disappearance. Thank you for listening to today's episode. Listening in a few days today seven, where we'll cover another missing on Identified First in case. If you'd like to support the podcast further, then you can on Patreon and contribute to exclusive polls to get extra bonus episodes every month. You can also get access to new episodes early in ad free. You can use the link in the show notes to visit Patreon and

see what we offer. You can also support us by reviewing the podcast wherever you listen, including Spotify, and also just share the episodes. You can subscribe on YouTube and follow us on social media as our ways. I'm Caprice and this has been unseen