A major investigation is underway
07:43, 22 Jul 2025Updated 07:44, 22 Jul 2025
Richard Dyson(Image: South Yorkshire Police)
Human remains have been found following a near-six-year search to find a missing dad.
Police say the family of Richard Dyson have been kept informed of developments after the discovery was made in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, last week.
Richard, 58, was last seen in November 2019 and his family have issued multiple heartfelt pleas to find him in the years since he first disappeared.
South Yorkshire Police says human remains were found at a property on Broadcarr Road, in the Hoyland area of Barnsley, last Monday (July 14).
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Three police scenes remain active in Barnsley in connection with the search, while two men aged 72 and 71 have been re-arrested on suspicion of murder, Yorkshire Live reports.
Andy Knowles, senior investigating officer at South Yorkshire Police, said: “We are keeping an open mind following this discovery, and working around the clock to establish the identity of the person involved and the circumstances surrounding this development.
“Richard Dyson and his family remain at the forefront of our minds as we progress our enquiries, and we know how important it is for them to get answers.
“We remain keen to hear from anyone with any information which could assist us, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Please get in touch and tell us what you know.”
Formal identification of the remains is yet to take place, South Yorkshire Police said on Monday night (July 21), but Richard’s family are aware of the situation.
Residents have been warned to expect an ongoing police presence at the three scenes – on Dike Hill, Sheffield Road and Hoyland Common – for the next couple of weeks while enquiries continue.
The two suspects were re-arrested last Monday on suspicion of murder and later bailed pending further enquiries.
They were previously arrested in connection with Richard’s disappearance in March 2021 and re-arrested in July 2023.
Richard’s last known sighting was at was around 11pm on Sunday, November 17 2019, when he was spotted walking along the A6135 Sheffield Road in Hoyland. He was last seen by his daughter two days earlier.
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His daughter, Bethany Dainty, has issued multiple appeals to find him over the years. She said in December 2021: “I feel like breaking down and crying every second of every day… Every year without him that shock and disbelief just grows.”
Bethany added: “Every day waking up and not knowing what happened hurts, it feels like I can’t get any closure not having any answers.
“Somebody must know something, and I just don’t understand why anyone would keep anything like that to themselves and would put a family through so much pain.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact South Yorkshire Police online or by phoning 101, quoting incident number 459 of November 25, 2019.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.