Murder probe launched despite lack of body has echoes of earlier Sheffield case

A murder investigation launched by South Yorkshire Police despite a body not being found has echoes of another case involving the disappearance of a Sheffield doctor.
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Detectives today arrested two men on suspicion of the murder of a man reported missing in November 2019 despite a body not being found.

South Yorkshire Police said detectives investigating the disappearance of Richard Dyson, aged 58, believe he ‘may have been killed’.

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Two men, a 67-year-old from Rotherham and a 68-year-old from Barnsley, were arrested this morning on suspicion of murder.

Richard Dyson was reported missing in November 2019Richard Dyson was reported missing in November 2019
Richard Dyson was reported missing in November 2019

Richard was last seen by his 20-year-old daughter, Bethany, from Catcliffe, Rotherham, on Friday, November 15.

He was reported missing when he missed their next arranged meeting on Monday, November 25.

An investigation established that was last seen on Sunday, November 17 at about 11pm, walking along the A6135 Sheffield Road, Hoyland.

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Detective Inspector Neil Coop, in charge of the investigation, said: “Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to trace him and sadly now believe he may have been killed.

“The arrests made today are as a result of evidence that has recently come to light and I hope we will now move closer to having the answers his family so desperately needs.”

Although unusual, it is not the first time a murder investigation has been launched in South Yorkshire without there being a victim’s body.

In 2009, South Yorkshire detectives launched a murder inquiry following the disappearance of Sheffield GP, Dr Colin Shawcross, from Endcliffe.

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The body of the 58-year-old family GP, who worked in Firth Park for 30 years, lay undiscovered for five months while detectives investigated his murder.

He was bludgeoned to death by the jealous ex-husband of a woman he had a brief affair with.

Detectives arrested and charged Dr Shawcross’ killer, Andrew Hill, of Walseker Lane, Harthill, almost immediately after the GP’s disappearance was reported.

But he refused to co-operate with the search for the body and it took five months before the remains were found.

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Hill was found guilty of murder after a trial and was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars.

The convicted killer continues to protest his innocence from behind bars.

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