by The family of a “loving” mother say they had to turn to Google to discover the man wanted for her alleged murder was a convicted sex offender.
Kelly Faiers, aged 61, was found dead at Richard Scatchard’s home in Minehead on 15 October.
Despite previous convictions for drugging and sexually abusing women, the police did not take Scatchard away for questioning – and when officers returned to speak to him the next day, he had disappeared.
Avon and Somerset Police then launched a public appeal to find the 70-year-old, but did not initially reveal he was a convicted sex offender.
Speaking to The IndependentMs Faiers’ family said the police “failed” to arrest Scatchard at his home and then failed to disclose his criminal history which put them and members of the public at risk.
They found Scatchard’s convictions – including sex offenses in which he drugged his victims – by searching his name on Google.
The family said they have lodged a formal complaint with the force, claiming they were let down and angry at the lack of support and information provided during the investigation.
Jazmin Faiers, Kelly’s daughter, said: “The police failed to inform us that the death was suspicious and put me in danger for four days and left me living alone at my mother’s address while who was aware of his criminal history and was going to the house. sent often.
“The police issued ‘missing’ notices for Richard claiming that this was on a life-saving basis, but there were no signs that he was suicidal and that I could be in significant danger – which is his life more important?
“It took me searching his name on Google to find out his criminal history. We are the victims, but the system makes us feel like the criminals.”
A statement issued on behalf of Ms Faiers’ family, including Tania Jackson’s daughters Laurie Perry and her son Michael Faiers, said the force’s initial decision not to report itself to the Independent Police Conduct Office was an “insult to the family”. Last week the force referred itself to the police watchdog.
The statement was issued a day after Ms Faiers’ funeral at South Bristol Crematorium, a short distance from her home in Weston-super-Mare. Tests are yet to reveal how she died but her death is being treated as “suspicious” and is the subject of a homicide investigation.
After breaking up a marriage of more than 20 years in 2021, the mother-of-four moved to the seaside town and soon began a relationship with Scatchard after meeting him on a dating app. She would meet him a few times a month, her family says.
But on October 15, the South West Ambulance Service was called to her home, and Ms Faiers was pronounced dead at the scene.
After being on the run for several weeks, Crimestoppers put Scatchard on their “most wanted” list, describing him as “dangerous” and offering a £10,000 reward for information on his whereabouts.
Avon and Somerset police say Scatchard is considered a risk to the public, particularly women he has relationships with, and is a regular user of dating apps. In November, the force released CCTV footage of him drinking in a pub in Minehead with Ms Faiers the night before she died.
One line of inquiry for the detectives is that Scatchard is being nurtured by another woman.
However, as the search continues, Ms Faiers’ grieving family say they are frustrated by the lack of progress and information received from investigating officers.
The family’s statement continued: “We feel let down and angry with the police that they have played down their role in letting him go and that the subsequent press coverage has been diluted to avoid focusing on their actions and errors.
“As a family we want justice and answers that the police have promised us but have so far failed to provide.”
Jazmin said her mother was “loving, always smiling, always happy and would talk to everyone”, adding: “We miss her.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jess Aston said the force initially treated Scatchard as a high-risk missing person because of concerns he was at an immediate and serious risk of self-harm.
She continued: “As our investigation has progressed, we have become less concerned about his welfare and much more concerned about the danger he poses to others.”
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said they are continuing to search for Scatchard in connection with the death of Kelly Faiers in Minehead in October.
The force added: “As previously stated, Scatchard is considered to be a risk to the public, particularly women with whom he has relationships. He is a regular user of dating apps and has previous convictions for sex offenses where he drugged his victims to enable his crimes.
“We have received a large number of reported sightings of Scatchard since he was last seen on the morning of Monday 16th October. These have been reviewed, but it has not been confirmed that he is a 70-year-old.
“The National Crime Agency is supporting our efforts to find Scatchard by providing specialist advice to help us develop our ongoing search plans to find him.
“Kelly’s death is still being treated as a homicide investigation at this time. Family liaison officers are in regular contact with her family to keep them updated and provide support.
“We can confirm that we have recently received a complaint from the Kelly family regarding the police response. The complaint was voluntarily referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on Thursday 4 January.
“Our Professional Standards Department was informed of the incident and our response at an early stage and we will assist the IOPC in any way we can in relation to the complaint received.”
Scatchard is white, around 5ft 11in tall, of medium build with short gray hair. He has a Scottish accent and previously claimed to be Richard Dunlop. Considering how long it’s been since he was last seen, though, there’s a chance he’ll look a bit unhinged.
Anyone who sees Scatchard should not contact him, but call 999 and quote the reference 5223259285 to the call handler.
