Friends and family of a devoted mother-of-two who vanished without a trace six days ago are relentlessly carrying on a large-scale search effort in their urgent quest to bring her back home.
Rebecca Holdham, affectionately called Becky by those close to her, was last spotted at a location within the Ockley Park estate, near Hassocks village in West Sussex, around 10am on Sunday, September 7.
On that Sunday morning, her children returned to find an empty home, prompting a significant search effort, which has involved aerial drones, search dogs, and a police helicopter, all exploring the nearby fields and forests.
Worried residents have spent the past few days scouring the rural areas as they search for the passionate equestrian, whose disappearance is deemed ‘extremely uncharacteristic,’ heightening their concern.
Their search efforts are intensifying, with many participants putting up ‘Missing Person’ posters featuring Becky’s image and details in local shops and businesses throughout the weekend.
The poster, which provides a depiction of the missing mother as being ‘slim’ and approximately 5ft 4in tall, states: ‘Last seen in Hassocks at about 10am on Sunday, September 7. She has shoulder-length brown hair and a tattoo on her ankle.’
‘Links to Burgess Hill, Horsham, Worthing, Devon and Dorset.’
A call for a ‘large search group’ has now been launched by Becky’s best friend, Kerry Malby, with swathes of locals expected to join on Monday morning at around 10am to sweep Hassocks and the village’s surrounding areas.
Becky Holdham (above) was last seen at an address in the Ockley Park estate in West Sussex, at around 10am on September 7
Becky’s children returned home last Sunday morning to find their mother (above) gone
Anxious locals have spent the days since trawling the countryside as they look to find the keen horsewoman (above)
Ms Malby said: ‘She’s a devoted mum and this is completely out of character. She wouldn’t just leave her children.
‘We can’t understand it. In a very short space of time, she has just completely vanished. We’ve no idea if she left of her own accord or if she’s been taken. People can’t just vanish into thin air.
‘She’s an amazing friend. She would normally have phoned me if something was wrong. I can’t understand why she wouldn’t call me.
‘The kids were not left on their own, they returned to find Becky not here. We don’t have a lot to go on and the police haven’t found any leads.
‘We just want her home and safe, her girls need her. Every morning waking up and there’s no news, it’s awful. It’s worse than staying up all night.’
Becky’s mother Alison Holdham added: ‘So far they’ve got no trace of Becky.’
Sussex Police said earlier in the week that they are concerned for Becky’s welfare and are trying to trace her movements since the last time she was seen.
Detective Inspector Chris May, of the West Sussex Missing Persons Team, said: ‘We are growing increasingly concerned for Rebecca’s welfare, and are urging anyone who has seen or heard from her since Sunday morning to get in touch.
A poster titled ‘Missing Person’ featuring a picture of Becky’s face has been distributed across dozens of local businesses
Kerry Malby said Becky (above) is ‘a devoted mum’ who ‘wouldn’t just leave her children’
‘Extensive enquiries are being completed including physical searches, house-to-house visits, and checks of CCTV and doorbell cameras in the area, and so residents will see an increased police presence in the area while this is ongoing.
‘We believe Rebecca to have left the address on foot. She is described as 5′ 4’ and with shoulder-length brown hair, and a tattoo on her ankle. At this stage, it’s not known what clothing she is wearing.
‘We continue to ask the public to be vigilant and to report any possible sightings or pieces of information they believe may be relevant in helping us find Rebecca.’
Anyone with information relating to Becky’s whereabouts is urged to call 999 quoting serial 1359 of 07/09.
Sussex Police have been approached for further information on Becky’s disappearance today.
