Paper shines a spotlight on missing man a decade after disappearance
A local newspaper cleared its front page to mark the 10th anniversary since a man disappeared — with relatives still no closer to getting any closure.
The South Wales Argus gave a platform to the family of Kyle Vaughan, as they marked the decade anniversary since the 24-year-old vanished from his home in South Wales.
The Argus has built close relationships with Kyle’s family over the decade, and included a replica of the front page when he disappeared in its splash coverage 10 years on.
Kyle, from Newbridge, had gone out to a party in Abercarn and had gone from the party to a pub in Risca to see some friends.
After spending some time with the friends, he set off to return to the party but never made it.
His car — a silver Peugeot — was found around 11.45pm crashed on the A467 between Risca and Crosskeys — but there was no sign of Kyle.
Gwent Police officers ran checks on the car and visited the home of Kyle’s parents Mary and Alan Vaughan — where they told Mr Vaughan he was under arrest for leaving the scene of a collision, which caused confusion as he had not been out, until they realised it was his son’s car.
Two undertakers would come forward to say that they had seen the crash and had spoken with Kyle, offering to give him a lift but he declined.
In the years that followed the disappearance, Kyle’s family and friends have not given up the search for their loved one but are yet to have any answers.
Mrs Vaughan would die in 2018 after a battle with cancer, with Mr Vaughan telling the Argus that although the cancer killed her, ‘she also died of a broken heart’ for not knowing where her son was and what happened to him.
Speaking to the Argus last week, Alan said: “I just want Kyle’s body so I can put him to rest with Mary.”
The story was written by community content editor Elizabeth Birt, who has followed the story for a number of years.
Elizabeth wrote on Twitter: “It breaks my heart every time I write about Kyle’s disappearance.
“It’s been the one story I’ve been most passionate about since I became a journalist. A decade of heartbreak for Kyle’s family and friends which seems no closer to ending.”
Editor Gavin Thompson said: “Liz has followed this story over several years and is a great example to aspiring journalists of the importance of building trust with a family and maintaining that relationship so you can give them a platform through dark times.”
You can read the full story here.
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