The mother of Robert Scott Clive, who vanished in North Shields in 2002, has spoken of her "biggest fear" that her son will be forgotten as she marks another birthday without him. Today would have been Scott's 54th birthday, and his family remains desperate for answers.
A Heartbreaking Milestone
It has been nearly 25 years since Scott, then 30, disappeared after a night out in North Shields. Last year, hopes were raised when police searched a home and arrested three people on suspicion of murder, citing fresh evidence of an assault. However, in March, Northumbria Police closed the investigation, stating all lines of inquiry were exhausted and the suspects would not be charged.
Tricia, now 75, said: "My biggest fear is that he will be forgotten. As far as we are concerned, he's not missing, he's gone." She thanked the Chronicle for keeping Scott's story alive.
The Disappearance
Scott, a labourer, moved to North Shields from Stranraer, Scotland, ten months before vanishing on October 10, 2002. He was reported missing days later. Initially treated as a missing person, a murder probe was launched despite no body being found. In 2008, police divers searched the River Tyne after a witness reported seeing a man matching his description near the water, but no trace was found. Police believed he entered the river, but the family refused a death certificate.
A new investigation in 2024, including forensic searches of a home on Coronation Street, ended in March with no charges. Tricia remains convinced someone in North Shields knows the truth: "I still think it's being talked about. I'm sure somebody knows."
