Bolton family desperate to find missing dad - two years after his disappearance
James Hodgkiss was last seen in August 2016.
Officers searching for a missing man from Bolton have launched a fresh appeal for information as his children face another year without their father.
James Hodgkiss has missed two Christmases, two lots of birthdays and countless milestones in his children’s lives since he disappeared two years ago.
Just a day after last seeing his two sons, aged 12 and 17, and his 14-year-old daughter, a member of the public saw him wheeling a black hand-luggage bag towards Bolton Town Centre on 3 August 2016.
This is the last known sighting of James.
His loved ones, led by his mother Christine and father John, often distribute leaflets around the Bolton area and tell people about James in the hope that if someone sees him, they will recognise him and the family can be reunited.
Although there are no active wide-scale searches at this time, James has remained on GMP’s forcewide high-risk missing persons list, meaning that if any officer comes into contact with him, he will immediately be recognised.
Previously, officers have searched around the Weston Street and Bradford Reservoir area, as well as the Breightmet and Bolton areas, but no further lines of enquiry have been established.
Chief Inspector Steph Parker of GMP’s Bolton Borough, said: “It’s really important that we keep the appeal for James alive and people don’t forget to keep an eye out for him.
“We certainly have not forgotten about him and want nothing more than to bring him home to his family who are missing him so greatly.
“James would now be 36 – he should be enjoying life with his children, watching them grow up and spending time with his mum who thinks the world of him but instead, no one knows where he is or whether he is okay, which gets harder and harder for them as each day passes.
“If you have even an ounce of information about where James is, please make sure you pick up the phone and get in contact with us. If not for any other reason, please do it for his family.”
He is white, around 6ft 2in tall, of slim build with blue eyes, short, dark hair and stubble.
He was wearing dark blue tracksuit bottoms, a dark-coloured Nike t-shirt, black and white trainers and a dark blue jacket with a fur-edged hood.
Anyone who sees James or knows where he is should contact the dedicated investigation team at Bolton on 0161 856 5761.