The family of a man found dead in his caravan are seeking an apology after claiming police brushed them off despite him being missing for weeks.
Fife-born John Reddington’s family say they were dismissed by Police Scotland and West Mercia Police after they raised concerns about him. This was despite telling them that he suffered from mental health and alcohol problems.
The 57-year-old’s body was eventually found decomposed in his van in Worcestershire after his family had to convince the police to look for him.
The family have now submitted a formal complaint to West Mercia Police, saying the force did not treat their concerns properly.
John’s nephew Gary Connor said: “I’m hoping that they get back in contact and put their hands up and say [they got it wrong]… They seem to be blaming the government for their lack of effort.”
He continued: “My issue was getting to the bottom of a missing person enquiry and they didn’t take that seriously. All they kept doing was telling me why they couldn’t do their job because they’ve not got the money, the resources, the staff. It was an uncaring attitude. It was nothing to do with the government.”
Ballingry-born John – who lived in Malvern, Worcestershire – bought a campervan after splitting up with his girlfriend last year. He was of no fixed abode but the family knew he was safe due to regular Facebook posts and the occasional phone call. His last Facebook post was on November 6.
The family then contacted Police Scotland in mid-November, but Gary said their response was “sometimes people just want to be on their own and off the grid, so just keep trying his phone.”
The family’s concerns grew when John failed to contact his sister Jane on her birthday on December 10. They contacted West Mercia Police a few days later, but were told to check the hospital and doctors.
John’s ex-partner then informed the family that his campervan was parked on a grass verge in Malvern. The family then contacted the police, but had to argue to get them to attend the scene. Reddington’s body was found decomposed inside December 19 but his identity was not confirmed until January 9 when a DNA test was completed
Gary said: “The attitude towards myself was quite disgusting if I’m honest. The police said they don’t have the resources, they don’t have the powers, if I’m not happy I should blame the government.
“I had an argument with them. They blamed me as a person, saying it was our fault as a family because he hadn’t been in regular contact.”
Richard Baker, Labour MP For Glenrothes and Mid Fife, is assisting the family in seeking a response from police.
He said: “The Connor family did what any family does when they instinctively know a relative may be in trouble – they contacted the police for help. Instead they were brushed aside multiple times which added significantly to their distress. They’ve been through an appalling situation and deserve answers.
“Police may not have been able to save John’s life, but if his case had been treated with greater urgency, he might have been found sooner. The tragic discovery of John’s body confirmed the family’s worst fears, but they’re also now having to process the fact that he lay dead in a campervan on a public road for maybe as long as six weeks.
“The way this case was dealt with by police at all levels needs to be reviewed so lessons can be learned and no family has to go through the anxiety and pain they endured.”
West Mercia Police said in a statement: “We can confirm that a complaint has been received in relation to West Mercia Police’s handling of an investigation into a missing person. On 16 December, John Reddington, aged 57, from the Malvern district was reported missing, sadly he was found dead on 19 December, 2024.
“Enquiries established there were no suspicious circumstances around his death. Our thoughts are with Mr Reddington’s family at this difficult time however it would be inappropriate for us to comment further until the complaint investigation is finalised.”
Police Scotland said the issue was for West Mercia Police.
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