Missing People charity push for new law to free families from life in limbo

Every year, 250,000 people go missing.  The vast majority are eventually traced andreunited with their friends and family, but a small number are never seen again.

As the months and years go by, relatives may eventually want, or have, to declare that missing person dead. 

The absence of a body can make it very difficult for families to register the death of a missing person.  And without a death certificate, it can be hard to dissolve a marriage or civil partnership, claim life insurance, remortgage a house or disopose of the missing person’s estate.

The charity, Missing People is campaigning for a change in the law in England and Wales that could bring closure for families who are living in limbo.

The Presumption of Death Bill would make it easier for relatives and business partners to declare the death of a missing person.  Scotland has had similar legislation in place since the 1970s and a proposal is currently going through Northern Ireland Assembly.

Missing People works across the UK providing a lifeline for people who go missing or run away, and specialised support for those left behind.  It is just one of the charities which receives funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Missing People – which is supported in England, Scotland and Wales – has received £708,000 from the People’s Postcode Lottery to date.