Manic Street Preachers’ guitarist Richey Edwards has officially been declared “presumed dead”.
Although at this stage neither Edwards family nor the remaining Manics are commenting further, a spokesperson for the band confirmed that the guitarist’s parents have obtained a court order officially changing his legal status, adding that this was a ‘hugely emotional’ time for the band.
Under UK law a person can be legally declared dead after seven years, but Richey’s family had thus far refused to take this option.
However, the family’s lawyer told Walesonline.com that the decision reflected "an acceptance that his affairs have got to be sorted" and that it was "not he same as an acceptance that he is dead".
In a symbolic gesture the remaining Manics have continued to set aside Edwards share of royalties, meaning that his family have now been officially granted control of his estimated £455,990 estate.
Since Edwards was last seen in London, on February 1st 1995, numerous sighting of him have been reported – with locations ranging from Newport to the Canary Islands and a market in Goa.
The Manics publicist Terri Hall commented that: “We all dream that Richey will come back one day.
“You hope he is still around somewhere, but it is no longer a realistic hope, and if this offers some kind of closure then the band will be content with that.”
