1995 is drawing to a close without a positive sighting of Richey Edwards. But what has come to light since his disappearance in February? VOX examines the police files, uncovers new information and reveals a disturbing picture of a soul on the edge...
"In terms of the 's' word, that does not enter my mind. And it never has done. In terms of An Attempt. Because I am stronger than that. I might be a weak person, but I can take pain." - Richard James Edwards, September, 1994
A blue ringbound folder lies on the table of a small interview room at Harrow Road Police Station, in London W9. Detective Sergeant Stephen Morey opens the folder, leafs through the pages and picks out form number 584(C). He scans it and places it on the table. The form is a Missing Persons document. At the top is the subject's name, Richard Edwards, his height, 5ft 8ins, birthdate, 27/12/67, and birthplace, Blackwood, in Gwent. There is a section called 'Marks, scars, tattoos, physical peculiarities' which lists the 'Useless Generation' emblem on Edwards' left armn. Other sections include habits - Edwards smokes - and the date of the report, 2/2/95. The last box is titled 'Circumstances' and reads: "Subject is a member of a band - was staying in London Embassy Hotel with another band member before flying to USA on business. Subject was seen by hotel staff leaving hotel on 1/2/95 at 07.00 hours and has not been seen since. His passport is missing but all his belongings are still in his hotelroom." On the back of the form are additional notes which describe how Edwrads left a gift and a letter saying 'I Love You' for a female friend. The police note says: "Apparently subject would like to have a relationship with (her)." Form 584(C) ends with the words: "Subject has made a previous suicide attempt and is taking antidepressants." It was filled in by Manic Street Preachers manager Martin Hall, a day after Edwards went missing. At 7am on February 1, 1995, Richard James Edwards walked out of the Embassy Hotel in Bayswater Road, West London. Behind him, in hotel room 516, he left a packed suitcase, toiletries, a bottle of Prozac and, in the center of his unmade bed, a carefully wrapped box with small quotes stuck to the side. Next to the box was a three-word note saying 'I Love You'. This was for a 19-year-old London gir, Jo, Edwards' unrequited love. Edwards frequently exchanged presents with her, though their relationship was platonic. He spoke about her in his final interview on January 23 with Japanese magazine Music Life. In it, he said: "I've only really been involved with one girl. I can speak to her more naturally than to anyone else. It means something. But I've never told her I love her. I've known her for years, but I've only kissed her once... Once, twice. That's all. How can I wxplain? When I love somebody, I fell sort of trapped." The box was opened by Martin Hall and inside was a collection of books. The Manics' press officer Gillian Porter, of PR Firm Hall Or Nothing, said: "The box was wrapped and there were little quotes on the side, but that was what he used to do. We opened the box to see wheter there was anything inside that might lead us to him, or offer any clues. Then we gave it to Jo."