The legendary Bristol DJ has been missing for three weeks
Derek Morris, aka DJ Derek, was reported missing by his family last night. The 73-year-old was last seen three weeks ago.
Morris’ niece, Jennifer, appealed for any information on Twitter last night, and the police have launched a search for the Bristol DJ.
Morris is a stalwart of the Bristol DJ circuit and has frequently toured the UK with his reggae, dancehall and soul sets.
Any information about the whereabouts of Morris should be reported to Avon and Somerset Police on non-emergency phone number 101.
See the appeal for help from Morris’ niece and George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol’s reply in a tweet below.
UPDATE 24 July: Avon and Somerset police have confirmed that DJ Derek was sighted at Yate bus station on either 16 or 17 July.
As a result, police are now concentrating their search on the Yate area.
“This has involved detailed CCTV examinations, house to house enquiries and physical searches.
“We have also had a large number of reported sightings following our public appeal and we are working through all of these” Detective Inspector Chris Jay said of the new sightings.
“This new confirmed sighting in Yate will mean we will re-focus our efforts in this area and I would ask anyone who was in the vicinity of Yate bus station on July 16/17 to come forward.
“I would also ask anyone who regularly uses public transport within Yate, Cribbs Causeway or Thornbury to come forward if they have any information.
“Please contact us now on 101 quoting reference number MP3388/15.”
UPDATE 5 October:
A map discovered in Derek’s house suggests the DJ may be in Dursley, Gloucestershire.
The map, found by Derek’s niece, has a ‘H’ mark on a road that the police believe might stand for ‘hospital’.
Derek was complaining of head pain the night before he went missing. His family think he could have travelled to a distant hospital for treatment as he wouldn’t have liked to be recognised in Bristol and asked about it, though it is possible he could be visiting a friend.
The search so far has focused on Thornbury after being spotted there three months ago but bus timetables indicate Derek could have boarded a bus to South Gloucestershire immediately after alighting.
“I don’t know why he would be going to a hospital in Gloucestershire, but he is well known in Bristol,” Derek’s niece told Bristol Post. “Maybe if he had something wrong he wouldn’t have wanted to have been recognised and people to ask questions. The hospital have been trying to help and have said they will do all they can, but obviously it’s difficult because of patient confidentiality.”
The St Paul’s resident has had seventy sightings since being reported missing three months ago but none have proved conclusive.
