Robert Scott Clive vanished 23 years ago. Police search North Shields home, offering hope to his anxious mother.
Police searched a home near the town center. Robert, known as Scott, visited there the night he went missing. A tent stood outside the house on Coronation Street while forensics officers worked inside the property.
Tricia, Scott’s mom, lives in Stranraer and anxiously follows the news. She described mixed feelings, saying finding out what happened to her son could be close. Tricia knew something would happen, but they did not know to what extent, making it difficult to watch from far away.
Scott worked as a labourer and lived in a bedsit on Prudhoe Terrace. He vanished in October 2002. His family reported him missing when they had not heard from him for days.
Police initially treated Scott as missing, but weeks later, they launched a murder probe despite finding no body. Seven people were arrested, but nobody was charged. In 2008, police reviewed the case. Divers searched the Tyne in April after a witness saw a man by the river early on October 11, 2002.
They found no trace of his body. Police told the family he entered the river. Last summer, a man was arrested as a 49-year-old murder suspect. He is on police bail now, while detectives want more information and keep an open mind.
Tricia hopes for answers, although she knows the truth could be hard to hear. Seeing police on Coronation Street gives her hope. “They seem to have something to go on,” she stated, adding that the number of police comforts her because she did not expect it, as everything pointed to the water before.
Knowing what happened would be nice, even though they might not want to know since they have never moved on from it. Police search the property and make enquiries, speaking to people on the street. The current occupant moved in after 2002. They were found other accommodation.
Officers ask anyone from 2002 to come forward. They want former residents of the street to talk. Whether they saw Scott or not doesn’t matter as detectives think they could hold key information that they might not realize is important.
Detective Inspector Mark Atherton leads the probe. His thoughts are with Scott’s family, who lack closure and deserve answers, he stated. Officers refocused efforts on Coronation Street because Scott visited an address there. They thank the current occupant for help, showing the wider community’s cooperation.
They urge anyone from Coronation Street to come forward, as they could have relevant information. Anyone with information should step forward because even small details can assist the investigation and could prove key.
People can share information online, or they can contact police via phone or social media. Use reference NP-20240703-0398.