Richey Edwards Vanishes Without Trace — Manic Street Preachers Guitarist Never Found

On February 1, 1995, Richey James Edwards — lyricist and rhythm guitarist of the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers — disappeared from the Embassy Hotel in London just days before the band was scheduled to fly to the United States to promote their album. His car was later found at Aust Services near the Severn Bridge, a known suicide spot. The car had been there for two weeks, with a nearly empty tank of petrol and evidence that someone had been sleeping in it. Richey had a long documented history of severe depression, self-harm, anorexia, and alcoholism. He had been hospitalized multiple times and had recently cut '4REAL' into his arm with a razor blade to prove his sincerity to a journalist. Yet his friends and family maintained hope for years that he might have chosen to disappear and start a new life. There were alleged sightings of him across Europe, India, and Lanzarote. No body was ever found. His bank accounts were never touched after his disappearance. The Manic Street Preachers never replaced him and continued as a three-piece. Richey Edwards was officially declared presumed dead in 2008.