Heartbreaking mystery of missing teen who 'vanished into thin air' 15 years ago

31 August 2023 , 07:30

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Computer-generated imagery of what Jordan could look like in 2015 was released by police

On this day 15 years ago, Kimberley Pierce dropped her nephew off at a hostel in Manchester city centre and waved goodbye to him. It was the last time she, or anyone else, would ever see him. Jordan Ratcliffe, was just 16 when he seemingly vanished without a trace.

He and Kimberley had bid each other a friendly goodbye in the late afternoon of August 31, 2008, and Kimberley asked Jordan to ring her once he'd settled in to let her know that he was okay.

But that phone call never came. Initially, Kimberley didn't think too much of it but as the days passed by without contact, she grew concerned and reported him missing to police on September 8.

Now 15 years later, Kimberley still hasn't given up hope of finding her nephew, and has the message: "Jordan we love and miss you, we just want you home, please will you let us know you are ok xx."

Aunt Kimberley yearns for Jordan's safe return (Manchester Evening News)

Kimberley had looked after Jordan from being 20 months old. But when his grandfather was taken ill, he agreed to spend some time at a hostel away from the home.

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Jordan, from Moston, was described as well-known and well-liked. The Manchester United FC supporter was a student at the North Manchester School for boys. He is white, 5 ft 7, of medium build, with brown eyes and short ginger hair.

He was due to visit the Men's Direct Hostel in Longsight, but he never arrived. Believed to be carrying a backpack at the time of his disappearance, he was wearing black trainers, black Nike tracksuit bottoms and a grey and black jacket. Police say that despite a £20k reward being issued in 2015 to find the young man, who would now be 31, his disappearance remains unsolved. Every piece of information and sighting has been followed up, but to no avail.

In 2010, a British Transport Police PCSO stopped a young man matching Ratcliffe's appearance at London's Waterloo station. He told the officer that he was from Manchester and the notable sighting generated extensive enquiries in the London area amid concerns that Jordan was sleeping rough. Sadly, the information led nowhere.

Four years later, police visited Portsmouth following a reported sighting, however no information was found. Computer-generated imagery of what Jordan would look like in 2015 was then released.

Jordan Ratcliffe went missing 15 years ago (GMP)

And in 2017, when the case was passed on to Greater Manchester Polic e's murder squad, the Ashton Canal was drained as part of the search for Ratcliffe, though no body was found. Julie Potts, Force Missing Person Safeguarding Officer from Greater Manchester Police, has carried out numerous checks over the years to try and trace the missing man.

Unfortunately, due to the time period between his last sighting on Tibb Street in the city's Northern Quarter, and the missing report, he could not be spotted on CCTV. Julie Potts told the Mirror: "On the evening of 31 August at around 17:15 Jordan Ratcliffe was dropped off at Tibb Street /Swan street in the City Centre by his Aunt. He was to phone her later that evening but that call never came. Jordan was just 16 years old at the time of his disappearance.

"In the 15 years since being reported missing there have been extensive enquiries to try and locate Jordan with searches being conducted in local areas and potential leads followed throughout other areas of the UK. Despite a £20k reward being issued the answers to Jordans disappearance have not yet been found. Every piece of information and every sighting has been followed up."

Kimberley has made several emotional appeals over the years, but now finds it too difficult to speak about Jordan. Julie continued: "Having recently spoke with his Aunt, I am aware of the sadness and void his disappearance has had in the family's lives. They have never given up hope and the message they have asked me to pass on is, 'Jordan we love and miss you, we just want you home, please will you let us know you are ok xx.'"

Kimberly, now a mum, agreed to an emotional interview with the local newspaper Manchester Evening News in 2015, where she told of her fear of hearing bad news. She has remained in the same home all of this time in the hope that he will walk through the door again.

The Ashton Canal was drained as part of the search for Ratcliffe, but nothing was found (Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

"It's been so hard not having him here," she said. "It never gets any easier. It just sits at the back of your mind. The hardest part is not knowing and nobody else knowing. I've stayed in the same house as it's the only place he knows to go back to."

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She described her nephew as 'a nice lad, very outgoing, spoke to a lot of people' and at the time, had been looking for work. "We just don't understand why he would just disappear," she added.

"For a boy that you've had living with you, a nephew, since 20 months old, for him not to be around is quite strange and it's difficult. The things that you think about that could of happened and you are hoping haven't happened - it just doesn't make it any easier. At the end of the day it’s all at the back of your mind."

Julie is again urging anyone who recognises or remembers seeing Jordan to get in touch. "Jordan's case is still an open missing person case with GMP and will remain so until those answers relating to his disappearance are found.

"I urge anyone with information that can help in locating Jordan, to please contact GMP quoting the reference number MSP/06HQ/0000031/19, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. You can also contact the charity Missing People on Freephone 11600."

Addressing Jordan, the officer added: "Jordan, I want to assure you that should you not wish to make contact with your family, we will respect your wishes and right to privacy. Please can I request you contact GMP direct and let us know you are ok, as our priority is and always has been to know you are safe and well."

Jordan's profile on Missing People can be read here .

Saffron Otter