Kevin Judge, a former miner, was 68 at the time of his disappearance from the Lupset area of Wakefield in April 2013 – his remains have been identified
The remains of a much-loved grandad who went missing 13 years ago have been found.
Kevin Judge, a former miner, was 68 at the time of his disappearance from the Lupset area of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in April 2013. The dad of three and grandfather of four was taken home by a taxi on April 15 after going out in Wakefield city centre. His daughter visited the following day but he was gone, Yorkshire Live reports.
This week, West Yorkshire Police told Mr Judge’s family, who feared he had been murdered, that officers do not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Kevin’s remains were found in January in a wooded area off Kiln Lane between Clayton West and Emley, near Huddersfield, his family has confirmed. He was identified from dental records and a set of house keys found at the scene, his family said.
Kevin’s daughter Louise Wilson told Yorkshire Live that she felt some relief to finally find out what happened to her father.
She described him as a “typical Yorkshire bloke” and a witty man who enjoyed visiting pubs in Wakefield city centre and who was “a bit of a character”. She does not know why he ended up in woodland near Emley as the location was not on his usual bus route, but she said he may have been suffering from the early stages of dementia, although he hadn’t been diagnosed with the condition.
She said she felt “some relief” at the “bittersweet” news, adding: “I thought he had been killed. It was just strange him disappearing.” She added: “It’s a mystery why he has gone that way. He loved walking, but why he went there I don’t know.”
Louise said family members, including her mum Sheila, who remained close to Kevin following a divorce, had never stopped thinking about him. She said: “Mum died three years ago. She was always fretting about him. She would mention him two or three times a week and was always looking in the papers. She was always thinking about him.”
Louise said that when the remains were found in January she “just knew straight away” that her dad had finally been found. The family is now planning a funeral and are expecting a coroner’s inquest to be held into Kevin’s death.
In a post on social media, Louise said: “I’m writing to let you know that the remains found in Huddersfield have been identified as my dad’s. It’s a tough time, but at least the mystery is solved after 13 years. It looks like he may of passed away from a heart attack.
“I’d like to thank everyone who’s looked for him and asked about him over the years – it means a lot. Rest in peace Dad.”
West Yorkshire Police has been approached for comment.
