According to a report by Daily Mail Online on Saturday, April 11, 2026, The family of a British soldier missing after failing to return to his military base has raised concerns over delays in reporting his disappearance, saying it may have reduced the chances of locating him.
Lance Corporal Ryan Rudd, 28, was last seen in the early hours of February 15 after spending the evening in Selby, North Yorkshire. He did not return to Catterick Garrison following the outing.
His absence was reportedly not confirmed until March 1, when a senior officer contacted his parents, Ken and Kerstin Rudd, to inquire about his whereabouts. The family said they believed he was still on base until they were informed otherwise, after which police were alerted.
His parents believe the gap between his disappearance and the official report may have impacted the investigation. His father said the delay could have “potentially cost my son his life,” while his mother said key evidence may have been lost during the period.
North Yorkshire Police and military authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Information gathered so far indicates that Ryan had been with a friend at a pub in Selby on the night he went missing. The pair later separated after Ryan remained behind for a drink, with plans to meet elsewhere. He was subsequently refused entry at another venue.
His mother said the friend was reportedly on a two-week course and may have left Selby afterward, raising uncertainty over whether anyone was informed about Ryan’s disappearance.
His father, a former soldier, said standard military procedures normally include regular checks to confirm personnel movements. He expressed concern that these systems did not flag Ryan’s absence earlier.
The family said his disappearance is out of character and believe something occurred that night, though they are unsure whether it was accidental or otherwise.
Police say they remain open-minded but have not ruled out the possibility that Ryan entered the River Ouse. The Army confirmed he was reported missing on March 1 and said it is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.