THE mum of a man, who went missing four months ago, has told of her desperate hope that he will call home.
Joan Hendricks, 64, said her son Daryl’s disappearance was “completely out of character” and he had not been seen since enjoying a family gathering.
Now, four months on, the mum-of-five of Edinburgh Way, Pitsea said she just wants her son to pick up the phone to let her know he is okay.
She said: “I like to think that he’s met somebody and he’s happy and loved up and therefore isn’t really thinking about us.
“That would be the best outcome, I don’t like to think about the other possibilities and the ‘what ifs’.
“It’s just so out of character for Daryl.”
Daryl, 30 of Wythefields, Pitsea was last seen by his mum, dad Miln, 62, and five brothers and sisters when he attended a family gathering at his mum’s home on Sunday July 29.
His mum said the family had an enjoyable day, playing cards together, and Daryl left for home as normal, promising to visit his mum the following Wednesday.
She said: “He didn’t come around that Wednesday, but I wasn’t worried as sometimes he did that and didn’t turn up when he said he would.
“The weekend came and he didn’t turn up and I hadn’t heard from him and then two to three weeks’ later we became really concerned and reported him missing to the police.
“We are a close family but we don’t live in each other’s pockets, so we weren’t too concerned at first. But at least one of us would hear from him.
“It’s just so awful not really knowing what has happened to him.
“I often used to drive along Broadmayne and see him walking into town.
“Now when I drive along that I find myself scanning the pavements, looking out for him.
“I just want him to pick up the phone and tell me he’s okay, he doesn’t have to tell me where he is, just let me know he’s alright.”
Mrs Hendricks’ described her son as “happy go lucky”. She said his disappearance was baffling as he had no problems or arguments when he disappeared and does not suffer from depression.
She said Daryl - a former Northlands Primary and Chalvedon pupil who worked as a barman in Chelmsford- is an avid Facebook user but has not posted on the social networking site since his disappearance. The barman has also missed the birthdays of two of his nephews, which he enjoyed a close relationship with, which is also out of character.
In recent weeks police have received unconfirmed sitings of Daryl in Vange and Forest Gate in East London.
Daryl, who is known as “Tink” to family and friends, is black, around 5ft 7ins tall, has short, black, curly hair and is slim. He has also has a pierced tongue.
Anyone with information about Daryl’s whereabouts can contact PC Sam Baldwin at Wickford police station on 101.