Mum's plea to missing Hartlepool son as 12-month anniversary of disappearance nears

Susan Scully has urged her missing Hartlepool son, Michael Scully, to get in touch as the anniversary of his disappearance looms.

Susan Scully last saw Michael Scully on December 29, 2018, with the former pub manager and waiter later vanishing without trace after the final confirmed sighting of him in Hartlepool on January 4, 2019.

Possible sightings of him since in both town and as far away as London have come to nothing and his bank account has not been touched.

But Mrs Scully, who works at Hartlepool Jobcentre Plus, is refusing to give up hope that he is still alive and said: “I would just say to him please get in touch and let us know you are alright.

A recent picture of Michael Scully when he was working as a waiter in Trimdon Station.

“You do not have to come home and see us. That is absolutely fine. But please get in touch with a member of the family or a friend and let us know you are okay.”

Mrs Scully, 64, said her family have endured a difficult December as it has marked both Christmas and his 38th birthday.

She added: “It was his birthday on December 3 and I had to take the day off work as it was a hard time.

“Christmas was also tough without him with all the family getting together and talking about him.

Michael Scully has been missing since January 4, 2019.

“It has left a big hole in our lives.”

Mrs Scully last saw Michael, who lived in the Jesmond Road area of Hartlepool, at his aunty’s house and recalled: “Everything just seemed normal. We just said goodbye and he said he was going home.

“I just could not believe that it would be the last time I would see him for so long.”

Michael attended St William’s Primary School, in Trimdon Village, and English Martyrs School and Sixth College, in Hartlepool, before briefly studying at university in Manchester.

He later became a relief pub manager before adopting an “alternative lifestyle” around a decade ago by busking, juggling and performing with fire.

After spells living in London, Manchester, Germany and with a commune in the south of France, Michael returned to the North East in 2017.

He briefly worked as a waiter at the Cinnamon Club restaurant, in Trimdon Station, and had plans for a community interest company to provide people in Hartlepool with greater access to computers.

Works coach Mrs Scully, of Trimdon Station, has no idea why he disappeared and has described Michael as “outgoing and friendly”.

She added: “He has gone months before without getting in touch but never as long as this and we always knew he was okay.

“But there is always hope and we are not giving up just yet until we know otherwise.”

Michael is described as white, with brown eyes, of medium build and about 5ft 8in tall.

He often wears his brown hair collar length and has been known to have beard.

Anyone who can help is asked to call Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 002784.