A COUPLE whose son vanished into thin air nearly 13 years ago say they are convinced he is still alive thanks to a text message.
Julie Stammers kisses a framed photo of her son Anthony at her home in Colchester, Essex, and prays he will be home soon.
She and husband Rob last saw their boy on May 27 2012 when he went to stay at a pal’s in London.
Anthony, aged 27 at the time, had promised to be back the next day for his granddad’s funeral at Colchester Crematorium where he was to give a reading.
He even sent a text telling his parents to make sure his trousers were pressed ready for the service.
When he failed to show up, however, Julie and Rob knew something bad had happened.
Rob said the years since have been “absolute agony”.
Speaking to the Mirror on Anthony’s 40th birthday, he said: “To say it was out of character for Anthony to not attend my dad’s funeral would be putting it mildly.”
Rob, 73, said Anthony “wasn’t in a good place” after his granddad died and had been struggling to find work since leaving university.
“At first we thought he wanted some time to himself to get away from things.
“But then when he didn’t come home you don’t know what to think.
“It’s a mystery, but we believe Anthony is still alive. You do think the worst at times, but we’ve had no bad news, so we continue to look for him.”
Rob said every time they go to London they keep their eyes peeled on the train and the Underground.
Anthony knew the city well, having studied in south London and having friends in the east – and “loved” Ireland, following a trip there, his dad added.
But ultimately, despite carrying out their own searches, there is little indication as to what happened.
Julie said landmarks like Anthony’s birthdays are particularly tough, adding it feels like her heart is “breaking into so many pieces”.
And despite him being 40 now, she still sees him as “my baby”.
She said the other day she saw a man waiting at a bus stop and was suddenly convinced it was Anthony.
In fact, she stared at him for so long she felt the need to go and apologise and explain herself, describing not knowing what happened as “exhausting”.
Rob said Christmas is a difficult time for the family as December 25 was the day Anthony came home from the hospital after being born.
His brother and sister had declared his arrival as the best present they’d ever had.
When Anthony left the family home in 2012 he was carrying a large bag filled with books and withdrew £140 from his account.
The account hasn’t been accessed since, and neither has his phone.
Cops have followed up on possible sightings in Colchester, Doncaster and London, but have had no lines of enquiry.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “Thirty Essex Police detectives were involved at the height of the police search for Anthony.
“Despite their efforts, and those of other staff and officers involved, the search was scaled back and subsequently ceased after no significant leads emerged.
“Anthony is white, 5ft 10ins, and is of medium build, with short, dark-brown hair, although he may now have longer hair or changed its colour and could also have a beard.
“He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a red and blue checked shirt, carrying a black satchel and may have been wearing a black New York Yankees baseball cap and beige jacket.
“Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101, or contact missingpeople.org citing reference 12-001452.”
Have you been affected by this story? Email ryan.merrifield@thesun.co.uk
