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0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. A family is marking eight years since the disappearance of a loved one with an emotional appeal for answers. Steven Durand, a man from Preston who was 31 when he went missing, was last seen by family in Chorley on October 19, 2018. He was reportedly spotted in Manchester the following day, but all communication and financial activity stopped after that point. CCTV footage last shows Steven at a Bargain Booze store on Bolton Road, Swinton on the morning of October 20, 2018 (Image: Supplied)
His niece, Ayesha, recorded a video appeal to mark the eighth anniversary of his disappearance, with support from the Missing People charity. In the video, she said: "I was only 12 at the time, but I’m glad that I got to spend those years with him. "He was always there every Christmas and now it’s just not the same without him. "
Steven lives with mild cerebral palsy and had multiple mental health problems throughout his adult life. His mother, Christine, has previously expressed concerns about the care he received prior to going missing. She believes he was wrongly discharged from mental health services just two weeks before his disappearance. Christine told The Mirror in 2024 that she felt 'let down by the system that was supposed to protect him. '
Steven’s last confirmed sightings were on October 20, 2018. He was seen on CCTV at a Bargain Booze store on Bolton Road in Swinton at 7am, and later that day at a Premier store on Agecroft Road in Pendlebury at 11am. At the time he went missing, Steven was described as mixed-race, 5ft 10in tall, of medium to stocky build, with cropped dark brown hair. He walks with a limp due to his mild cerebral palsy. To mark the anniversary, his family shared a public message. They said: "We love him very much and he’s in our hearts and thoughts forever. Members of the public can support the search by visiting Steven’s appeal page on the Missing People website to report sightings, download posters, and share his story. Ndella Senghore, publicity officer at Missing People, said: "Steven, if you are reading this, please get in touch. "Our service is non-judgemental, confidential, and free.