Missing guitarist declared dead

2008-11-24 19:27

Mike Collett-White

London - Missing Manic Street Preachers guitarist and songwriter Richey Edwards has been declared as presumed dead, 13 years after he disappeared, a spokesperson for the band said on Monday.

"There has been a change in his legal status," said the spokesperson for the Welsh rock band, adding that his parents had been granted a court order to that effect.

Edwards disappeared in February, 1995, when the 27-year-old musician's car was found abandoned near the Severn Bridge linking England and Wales.

Despite alleged sightings of the guitarist since his disappearance, he is widely believed to have taken his own life.

According to media reports, Edwards's estate is worth around £380 000 ($596 000) after death duties are deducted.

Waited a long time

A missing person can be declared legally dead after seven years under British law, but his parents have taken nearly twice that length of time to do so.

Welsh news web site www.walesonline.co.uk quoted David Ellis, the Edwards family lawyer, as saying they had had a change of heart that reflected "an acceptance that his affairs have got to be sorted".

"That's not the same as an acceptance that he is dead," he added.

Earlier this month the other members of the band announced they were making a new record featuring lyrics left behind by Edwards.

"Finally it feels like the right time to use them," they said on their website.

- Reuters