Shivangi Sinha
The Steven Clark case has puzzled countless individuals for years. At 23 years old, Steven disappeared after going to watch a football match with his mother; he entered a restroom during their return journey and never returned. Despite an extensive search, he stayed missing. In the following months, there were sporadic reports of sightings in nearby towns, but none could be confirmed. Crime Junkie’s podcast episode titled ‘Missing: Steven Clark’ chronicles the lack of progress in the case over the years. When a breakthrough finally occurred, it proved as bewildering as Steven’s initial disappearance.
Steven Clark was Last Seen Going Into a Washroom in Saltburn
In 1969, Charles and Doris Clark experienced a remarkable period in their lives while residing in England when they welcomed their son, Steven Clark. Just 14 months later, their family expanded further with the birth of their daughter, Victoria. However, challenges arose for the couple when Steven, at the age of two, was involved in a car accident that left him severely injured. He endured six weeks in a coma, and upon awakening, he faced limited mobility. Initially, doctors expressed doubts about his ability to speak, but over time, Steven defied expectations and recovered, albeit with a limp and no sensation in his left arm.
The family relocated to South Africa in pursuit of better financial opportunities but returned to the United Kingdom in 1990, settling first in Guildford, Surrey, and later in Marske. However, the frequent moves, coupled with societal desensitization towards individuals with disabilities, presented challenges for Steven as he struggled to readjust his life. He faced bullying at school but found solace and protection in his sister, who became his staunch defender. Eventually, Steven began to establish roots within the community. He joined an online platform where he met new people, including a girl whose parents he later visited. It was a positive development noted by Steven’s family.
On December 28, 1992, Steven and his parents opted to attend a Middlesborough match in Saltburn. The setting was picturesque, with a beach on one side and towering cliffs on the other. On their return journey, Steven and his mother chose to walk back to Saltburn, a mere couple of miles. However, as they parted ways briefly to use separate restrooms, Steven’s mother emerged from the women’s facility to find her son nowhere in sight. As time elapsed without any sign of Steven, her concern deepened. Upon returning home and finding no trace of him there either, she raised the alarm, prompting the filing of a missing person report and the commencement of an investigation.
The Police are Still Looking for Answers About Steven Clark
Initially, the police focused their search efforts near the vicinity where Steven had vanished. However, as days passed without any leads, the search area expanded. Given Steven’s limited mobility, it seemed improbable that he would venture into challenging terrain, such as the cliffs, or fall into the sea, which was distant from the cliffs. All indications pointed towards two possibilities: either Steven left of his own accord or he fell victim to foul play. The former theory appeared unlikely, as Steven’s glasses, passport, and other daily essentials remained untouched at home.
As news of Steven’s disappearance spread, the police began interviewing individuals close to him. One family friend claimed to have spotted him a few days after he went missing in a nearby town, albeit amidst heavy rain, making visibility poor. Another couple alleged they saw him walking behind an elderly man with balding, graying hair, but Steven didn’t acknowledge them. While there were no apparent signs of distress, witnesses noted Steven seemed preoccupied and disinterested, looking downward. However, upon delving deeper into these sightings, police were unable to verify the details, leading these leads to grow cold.
For years, the family endured an agonizing wait for any news of Steven, their hearts heavy with the absence of his presence. They chose not to celebrate Christmas for eight long years, engulfed in the sorrow of his absence. However, a breakthrough finally emerged in September 2020 when police knocked on Victoria’s door. They informed her that her parents had been arrested under suspicion of involvement in Steven’s disappearance. Victoria underwent four hours of intense questioning as authorities probed whether she had witnessed any abuse directed towards Steven. Despite the relentless questioning, Victoria vehemently denied any such knowledge or experience.
Charles and Doris, aged 80 and 83, found themselves questioned simultaneously by authorities, informed that the basis for the interrogation stemmed from a letter dated as far back as 1999. The anonymous letter, addressed to Guisborough police station, accused the couple of mistreating Steven during his time living with them, suggesting the possibility of their involvement in his disappearance or death. Although they were released after questioning, the police soon requested that they relocate to a hotel to facilitate a search of their property.
Their garden and the vicinity around the toilet where Steven vanished were both excavated, yet authorities did not disclose specific reasons for these searches after so many years. When the family attempted to trace the individual who authored the letter, they discovered it was someone who wrote it on impulse, lacking any substantiated claims. Despite exhaustive efforts, Steven’s whereabouts remain unknown. Every day, the family grapples with his absence and yearns for closure, hoping to uncover answers about him soon.
