Parents’ frustration over Army’s delayed response to son’s disappearance
The parents of a soldier who went missing have criticized the military for not detecting his absence for nearly two weeks, claiming the delay might have affected the chances of finding him alive. L/Cpl Ryan Rudd, 28, was last spotted at a late-night outing in Selby on 15 February, leaving his barracks at Catterick Garrison without returning. Ken and Kerstin Rudd from Pocklington expressed alarm when they were contacted by a high-ranking officer on 1 March, asking if their son was home. They noted the two-week gap had left police struggling to locate him.
Concerns over communication gaps
Ken Rudd explained that when the officer initially called, they assumed Ryan had returned to base as usual. He said they quickly followed up to confirm his absence and began reaching out to authorities. “It was awful,” Kerstin Rudd said, reflecting on the lack of awareness about her son’s whereabouts. “Nobody noticed he was missing for two weeks. It was shocking, we couldn’t believe it was happening.”
“They should know where each soldier is and he didn’t get cross-checked two Mondays in a row,” Ken added. “That put the police in an unfortunate situation of being two weeks behind in looking for my son.”
The couple highlighted that Ryan had been with a friend from another unit, who was on a course for two weeks. They believed their son had left Selby to join the course but were unsure if he had informed anyone of his separation. “He had no reason to disappear,” Kerstin said. “He was enjoying it in the Army.”
Army’s investigation and police stance
North Yorkshire Police have stated they remain open to various theories about Ryan’s disappearance, including the possibility he entered the River Ouse. In a statement, the Army confirmed Ryan was reported missing on 1 March 2026 and that an investigation is ongoing, with police leading the effort. “We are unable to offer further detail at this time,” the military added.
Ken Rudd emphasized that his son’s nature as a soldier meant he would always return home, even after social outings. “It’s out of character for him,” he said. “He goes out with mates, takes city breaks, but always comes back.” The couple hopes sharing details might help jog someone’s memory, particularly if witnesses in Selby recall events from that night.
