Parents’ fury over delay in reporting son missing
Parents’ Fury Over Army’s Delay in Reporting Son Missing
The parents of a missing soldier have criticized the military for failing to notice their son had not returned to his barracks for two weeks, claiming this lapse may have cost him his life. L/Cpl Ryan Rudd, 28, was last spotted at the New Inn in Selby during a night out on February 15 and did not reappear at Catterick Garrison. However, Ken and Kerstin Rudd from Pocklington were only alerted to the situation on March 1 when a senior officer called to inquire if their son was at home.
“The two-week gap had stopped any chance of finding Ryan,” said Kerstin Rudd, describing the delay as “shocking” and hard to believe. She emphasized the lack of awareness about his absence, while Ken expressed frustration, stating the Army should have known where their son was.
Ken Rudd noted he had informed the officer that they had assumed Ryan was back on base as usual. Shortly after, the couple called again to confirm he was missing and initiated contact with the police. “It was awful,” Kerstin added, highlighting the emotional impact of the delay. “Nobody had noticed he was gone for two weeks. It felt like the whole system had failed.”
Army’s Response and Procedures
The Army confirmed an investigation is ongoing, collaborating with North Yorkshire Police. Ken, an ex-serviceman, explained that the base uses both a nominal and electronic roll call system to track soldiers’ locations. “They are meant to cross-reference whether someone is on a course or off base,” he said. “He didn’t get checked two Mondays in a row, which put the police two weeks behind in searching for him.”
According to the couple, Ryan had been with a friend from another unit, and they parted ways while he finished a drink. They agreed to meet in a different pub, but Ryan was denied entry. “We thought he had gone off to his course,” Kerstin said. “We don’t know if he reached out to anyone to say he hadn’t heard from Ryan.”
Uncertainty and Investigation
Ken asserted that Ryan would not have disappeared on his own, calling it “out of character” for him. “He was enjoying his time in the Army,” Kerstin said. “Something happened that night—whether it was an accident or something more serious, we don’t know, because there’s no evidence left.”
North Yorkshire Police have stated they remain open-minded about Ryan’s disappearance but mentioned the possibility he may have entered the River Ouse. The Army’s statement added: “We can confirm L/Cpl Ryan Rudd was reported missing to the police on March 1, 2026. An investigation is under way, and we are working closely with authorities.”
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