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Hundreds of people go missing in Kent every year and are later found safe and well.
However, some are never found, leaving families and friends wondering what happened to them. Nicola Jordan takes a look at one of these cases from 16 years ago…
Sixteen years ago teenager Richard Lambert went on a Friday night out with a group of mates, including his girlfriend.
After getting involved in a row, he returned to the family home in Chatham in the early hours - driving his distinctive limited-edition car.
But for some unknown reason, he left shortly afterwards and has never been seen again.
Furthermore, the 19-year-old’s black with white trim Ford Fiesta ST500 - one of only 500 in the country at the time - was also never found.
The only trace of his sudden departure was a teddy discarded outside his house in a residential area of Lordswood which was believed to have been a sentimental gift from his girlfriend.
Despite an extensive search involving police forces nationwide, border control and authorities across Europe, the mechanic was nowhere to be seen.
Highly-skilled officers were able to track his vehicle’s movements using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology in a limited area across Medway.
There were also possible sightings in other parts of Kent stretching to the coast at Folkestone, as well as outside the county including Lakeside, Essex, Swindon in Wiltshire and Wales.
All were meticulously followed up and subsequently eliminated.
Could Richard have been in any trouble? Was he attempting to escape from something or someone? But nothing has ever been discovered.
His mobile phone had been switched off and he had made no transactions from his bank.
Parents John and Marion, and good friend Laurence Beere, faced the glare of the media at press conferences making heartfelt appeals.
Pictures of the car and the cuddly toy tossed onto the road were put on show in an attempt to jog memories.
At the time, investigating officer Detective Inspector Ann Lisseman told journalists it was one of the most baffling cases she had come across.
Her colleague Detective Inspector Laura Pallet, who was also assigned to the case, recalls what happened when Richard was reported missing on the morning of June 15, 2009, two days after that night in Maidstone.
She said: “The initial report focused around ‘golden hour’ inquiries, which included speaking to Richard’s next-of-kin as well as those last in contact with Richard.
“This included inquiries around his financial transactions as well as the movements of his vehicle.
“Extensive house-to-house and CCTV inquiries were also conducted as well as checks around the use of Richard’s mobile phone.
“There was a flurry from the initial media appeal and subsequently also from renewed appeals.”
She added, that Richard’s family, while struggling to come to terms with what might have happened to their loved one, played an active role in contacting his friends and people who were known to him.
Det Insp Pallett said officers remained in contact with the family.
She added: “No unsolved investigation is ever completely closed and we continue to urge anyone with information on what may have happened to Richard to contact the police.”
Speaking on the second anniversary of his disappearance, Richard’s father said: "We just don't know what has happened.
“If he reads this I would say to Richard: 'Please put us out of our misery and get in touch. We miss you just as much as we did two years ago. We'd give anything to know you are OK'.”
He said the family was frequently stopped in the street by people who knew Richard or had heard of him.
“They all ask if we have heard anything but we haven't,” said John. “The mechanics where he used to work are just as confused as anyone.
“It is a complete mystery and keeps churning over in our minds. He has still got money in the bank, credits in his bank accounts, therefore it is not as though he was in dire straits.
“His accounts have not been touched except for the direct debits which came out directly after he disappeared. It is a complete and utter mystery.
“Whatever he has done he has clearly decided to do it off his own bat. I know full well he was quite capable of looking after himself. I hope that's what he has done.”
Anyone with any information about what happened to Richard is asked to get in contact with the police.
His description was previously given as white, 5ft 9in, of stocky build with short light brown hair and blue eyes.
He was last seen wearing a McKenzie t-shirt.
The black Ford Fiesta’s registation plate was EY09 YST.
Call 101 if you can help.