Parents’ fury over delay in reporting son missing
The parents of a missing soldier expressed anger over the Army’s failure to recognize their son’s absence for two weeks, claiming it may have cost him his life. L/Cpl Ryan Rudd, 28, was last seen at the New Inn in Selby on 15 February, after which he did not return to his barracks at Catterick Garrison. Ken and Kerstin Rudd from Pocklington revealed they were unaware of his disappearance until a senior officer called on 1 March to inquire about his whereabouts.
Delayed Response Sparks Outrage
“The two-week gap left us feeling helpless,” said Kerstin Rudd. “No one noticed he was missing, and it was shocking how long it took to act.”
The couple emphasized they had assumed Ryan was back on base as usual when they were contacted. Ken Rudd, an ex-Army officer, noted the base uses both a physical and electronic roll call system to track soldiers’ locations. He criticized the system for not cross-checking Ryan’s presence over two consecutive Mondays, leaving investigators two weeks behind in the search.
Unclear Circumstances of Disappearance
“He had no reason to vanish,” Kerstin Rudd added. “He was enjoying his time in the Army and always returned home.”
According to the family, Ryan had been with a friend from a different unit and split up during a night out. They believed their son might have gone to his friend’s course in Selby. However, they raised concerns about his friend’s absence and whether Ryan had reached out to anyone for help. The couple stressed that Ryan’s disappearance contradicts his character, suggesting something unexpected occurred that night.
Police and Army Collaboration
North Yorkshire Police stated they remain open to various possibilities, including the chance Ryan entered the River Ouse. The Army confirmed it reported Ryan missing to the police on 1 March 2026 and is collaborating with them on the case. A statement from the military noted, “We are unable to provide further details at this time,” while acknowledging an active investigation.
The parents hope sharing their story will trigger memories from others in Selby, potentially shedding light on the events of that night. “Even the smallest detail could help uncover what happened,” Kerstin Rudd said, expressing frustration over the lack of immediate action.
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds and catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
