News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

Three years on, where is Rory? Police stage social media ‘reconstruction’ of his last movements

Rory Johnson Hatfield
@ News

Three years ago, Rory Johnson Hatfield went for a night out in York – and was never seen again.

On the third anniversary of his disappearance, North Yorkshire Police have renewed their appeal for information – and are undertaking a social media ‘reconstruction’ of Rory’s night in York.

It was Thursday November 19, 2015, when Rory, from Skipton, came to York for an evening out.


He was last seen in the early hours of Friday 20 November 2015.

Since 2015, an extensive investigation has taken place into Rory’s disappearance.

Police continue to appeal for information about Rory’s movements that night, particularly the six minute time period between Rory heading into York and back out, along Tower Street and as he made his way over Skeldergate Bridge.

Tweet in real time

Police still continue the search into Rory’s disapperance
In a bid to jog people’s memory, police will be carrying out a social media ‘reconstruction’ and tweeting and posting Rory’s last known movements throughout the night of Monday (November 19) into the early hours of Tuesday.

You can follow this via their @NYorksPolice Twitter account and Facebook page using the hashtag #Rory2015.

Rory’s last known movements

Police have re-released CCTV footage of Rory’s last known movements, where at 12.32am he is seen heading into York with a friend, walking along Tower Street, past Clifford’s Tower. Six minutes later at 12.38am, the same CCTV camera picks him up on his own, leaving the city centre on the other side of Tower Street and crossing Skeldergate Bridge towards the Skeldergate/Terry Avenue area of York. Another CCTV camera picks Rory up a few minutes later at City Mills flats, on the other side of the river. This is the last known sighting of Rory.

Memorable night

A new notice appealing for information in York city centre
Superintendent Allan Wescott, senior investigating officer said the smallest amount of information “may actually unlock the answer to some of the questions we continue to have about that night”, adding:

  • While I appreciate we are asking people to cast their minds back three years, there were some events going on in the city that may jog people’s memory and help them recall where they were and what they were doing .

    Thursday 19 November 2015 was the opening night of Thor’s tipi bar – a large tipi bar that is situated in Parliament Street for the Christmas period.

    The city’s Christmas lights were switched on that night and it was the first night of the York Christmas market, where a number of retail chalets are situated on the main shopping streets through York and free parking was on offer in council car parks.

Supt Westcott said Rory’s parents, Liz and Doug “remain desperate for information as to his whereabouts”. They spoke to David Dunning of Minster FM today:

north-yorkshire-police-logo-25How to help the police

Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for the Force Control Room
Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website
Quote reference number 12150207141

Related YorkMix stories