It is not clear at what time, and for how long, Richey’s visitor, Vivian, was in his company that evening, or whether or not he left the Embassy with her.
The following morning, James waited in the hotel lobby for his friend. Richey, normally prompt and punctual, failed to appear. James became concerned when he received no answer from Richey’s room, and requested that a member of staff use a master key to unlock it. On entering, there was no sign of Richey.
They found a bath full of water and a gift box that contained several items; videos, books, photographs and a note, simply reading ‘I love you.’
This was addressed to, and later passed on to, his former girlfriend, Jo. Wrapped like a present, the box was decorated with literary quotes and a collage of cryptic photographs which included everything from cartoon characters to decaying mansions.
Richey’s receipts show that the day before the box’s discovery, he had spent £9.60 at a Surrey printers. Might that have paid for some of the photographic decorations on the box? If so, for how long had Richey been planning to leave this parting gift for Jo?
Twenty-four hours later, band manager Martin Hall filed a missing person report at Harrow Road police station. Staff working at Hall or Nothing were granted access to Richey’s address book, and began phoning around his contacts.
Nobody had heard from him.
Rachel recalls that Graham Edwards was initially reluctant to ask many questions. ‘My dad was of the opinion that the police are there to solve crimes, and he was a bit uncomfortable with it all. He put an article in the Daily Mail, saying, “Please make contact, Richard”, and went on Red Dragon Radio to appeal. My dad felt Richard was an adult and had made his own decision . . . but then he also knew he was ill, so was it his own decision?’