Urgent hunt for missing couple who vanished after visiting family as cops say disappearance ‘out of character’
AN URGENT search has been launched for a missing couple who vanished after visiting family.
John and Joan, both aged 76 and from Dorchester, were last seen in Clacton, Essex, on Thursday, March 27.
It is believed the pair left Essex on Friday, after seeing family the previous day.
The alarm was raised after they failed to return home.
They were travelling in a red Ford Kuga with the registration HF74 KRO when they left the area.
John is described as standing at around five feet and ten inches tall, with short grey hair.
Joan is around five feet two inches with greying blonde hair.
Cops say their disappearance is “very out of character” for the couple and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Dorset Police said in their appeal: “John and Joan, both aged 76, were reported missing having last been seen in the area of Clacton in Essex on Thursday 27 March 2025, where they had been with family.
“It is understood they left Essex on the morning of Friday 28 March 2025 and, while enquiries indicate they have subsequently returned to the Dorset area, it is believed they have not returned home and their exact whereabouts remain unknown.
“John and Joan were travelling in a red Ford Kuga with the registration HF74 KRO.
“John is described as around five feet ten inches tall and of slim build with short grey hair that has a tinge of red and it thinning on top. He sometimes wears glasses.
“Joan is described as around five feet two inches tall and of larger build with greying blonde hair, which is down to her neck.”
Inspector Charlotte Lee, of Dorset Police, said: “We understand it is very out of character for John and Joan to go missing like this, so we are keen to find them and make sure they are all right.
“I would urge anyone with information regarding their whereabouts to please make contact with us immediately. We also want to encourage anyone who comes across the vehicle described above to please report it to police.
“Finally, I would like to make an appeal directly to John and Joan if you see this to please make contact with us or your family and let us know where you are. We all just want to check that you are OK.”