South Yorkshire Police in bid to solve mystery surrounding dad's disappearance

Richard Dyson, aged 56, was last seen by his daughter, Bethany Dainty, on Friday, November 15, 2019, when he dropped her off at her home in Aston, Rotherham.

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The last confirmed sighting of him was two days later as Richard walked along the A6135 Sheffield Road, Hoyland, Barnsley.

His phone and bank account have not been used for the last year.

Bethany said the last 12 months have been the toughest of her life.

“Waking up every day not knowing what has happened to dad is like a bad dream that I can’t get away from,” she said.

“All I want to know is what happened. I am certain somebody, or maybe even more than one person, knows something that will help.

“I ask you directly, and from the bottom of my heart, please, please get in touch and tell somebody what you know. I don’t deserve to live like this, I just need some answers.”

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Detective Inspector Neil Coop, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: “Over the last year my team has trawled CCTV footage, conducted house-to-house enquiries, forensically examined Richard’s cars and carried out extensive telecoms work. This is still very much an active investigation and we are all focused on getting Bethany the answers she deserves.

“Bethany and Richard had a very close relationship and saw each other most Sundays.

“Over the last year this young woman has had to mark Richard’s birthday, Father’s Day, Christmas, her own birthday and countless other important dates without her dad. I don’t want another Christmas to pass with her not knowing what has happened.”

He added: “I want to be able to provide Bethany with the answers she deserves.

“We still have hope that we will find Richard but as time passes we do become increasingly concerned.”

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Richard, from Barnsley, is about 5ft 10ins – 6ft tall, of a slim build and with short, grey hair.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident number 459 of November 25, 2019.

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