A man disappeared days before Christmas and has never been seen since.
James Miller was 37 years old when he went missing just three days before Christmas on December 22, 2020, after leaving his mum's house in Warrington at around 11pm. He was last seen on CCTV in Slater Street, Latchford, but that was the last known sighting of him.
Three years on from his disappearance and his devastated family are still searching for answers. Detectives investigating the case from Cheshire Police have renewed their appeal for information this week.
A police spokesperson: "Despite a thorough investigation into his disappearance and an extensive appeal made by his family and friends, James has never been seen since."
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A number of sightings have been reported to police since James disappeared but they have proved inconclusive. James is described as 5'8" tall with bright blue eyes, of a medium build and with a distinctive scar on the side of his head.
He was wearing a white t-shirt and grey jogging bottoms when he went missing. Speaking to The Missing podcast, which examines cases of long-term missing people, earlier this year James' sister Emma said: "We've got nothing. We have no trace of him.
"We've got no proof of him. There's nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean absolutely nothing."
Emma also appeared on Channel 5's programme Vanished in November, during which she revealed the last conversation James had with his mum. Emma said: "When James went missing, we were in lockdown and unfortunately it was a really hard time for James. He was a key worker so he literally went to work, came home and went to work.
"I think without that socialising it really didn't help with his mental health. He was living with my mum and it was 10.30pm and mum just went into him and said 'come on James, turn your music off you've got work in the morning, I have work in the morning. Time for bed'.
"She left the room and heard the music go off and thought 'oh he's gone to bed' but then heard the front door go. Mum looked out her bedroom window which is on the street and saw James walking off to the right down Slater Street.
"He hadn't been in touch with anyone, he hadn't taken his phone and then didn't turn up for work. That's when the alarm bells went off in my head."
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Detective Inspector David Schofield, of Warrington Local Policing Unit, said: “Christmas time is supposed to be a time to celebrate and get together with family and friends. Sadly, for James’ family, it also marks the anniversary of his disappearance, making it a particularly difficult time of year.
“Although we have conducted extensive enquiries since James went missing, we have still been unable to establish his whereabouts.
“Therefore, this remains an active investigation and we will continue to act on any new information that could lead to James being found.
“I would continue to urge the public to think back to the time around when James went missing and if they think they have any information, no matter how big or small, please get in touch with us.
“I also want to repeat my thanks to the members of the public who have continued to do all they can to raise awareness of James’s disappearance and provide support and hope to his family.”
Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or via www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us, quoting IML 880492.
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