The disappearance of Rebecca Smallcalder, 26, and Louis Bond, 31, from Gillingham, Kent, has prompted a police investigation and public appeal for information. Initially reported missing on Monday, January 6th, the couple was last seen in Brompton, Gillingham. However, newly released CCTV footage has revealed their last known location to be approximately a mile away in Chatham town centre, altering the trajectory of the investigation. This crucial evidence provides a clearer timeline of their movements and has allowed authorities to map their route, offering a potential pathway to understanding their disappearance.
The CCTV footage captures the couple walking along Chatham High Street in the direction of Rochester, sometime after being seen in Gillingham earlier that afternoon. This sighting in Chatham significantly expands the search area and provides a more focused point for investigators to concentrate their efforts. The timeline established by the CCTV footage helps to narrow down the window of their disappearance and allows police to prioritize specific areas for further investigation, such as reviewing additional CCTV footage from businesses along their route and soliciting dashcam footage from drivers who may have passed them.
The initial description of the couple’s attire, provided when they were first reported missing, has been updated based on the new CCTV footage. Louis was initially described as wearing a reflective jacket and carrying a black rucksack, while Rebecca was described as wearing a black top, trousers, hat, and white trainers, along with a grey handbag and a pale green plastic carrier bag. However, the Chatham footage shows Louis in all black clothing, a pale blue woolly hat, black gloves, thick black shoes, and carrying what appears to be the same pale green carrier bag. Rebecca is seen wearing a black bomber jacket, a hat, carrying a bag over her shoulder, and still wearing what appear to be the same white trainers. This updated clothing description helps to ensure that the public is looking for the most accurate representation of their appearance.
The discovery of the couple together in Chatham significantly changes the initial understanding of their disappearance. While Rebecca was reported missing after leaving work on Monday, the subsequent discovery of her with Louis suggests they may have planned to leave together. The police are now treating their disappearance as a joint case, focusing on their combined movements and exploring potential reasons for their departure. The concern for their welfare is heightened by the fact that they have not contacted family or friends, and their seemingly planned departure without informing anyone raises questions about their intentions.
Chief Inspector Garry Cook has publicly expressed concern for their welfare and emphasized the importance of public assistance in locating them. The appeal to the public underscores the critical role that community involvement can play in such cases. The police are urging anyone who may have seen the couple, matching their updated descriptions and last known location, to contact them immediately. They are also requesting that residents and businesses in Gillingham and Chatham review any personal CCTV footage they may have and that drivers check their dashcam recordings for any sightings of the couple. This collaborative approach between law enforcement and the community is crucial in gathering information that could lead to their safe return.
The ongoing investigation relies heavily on the continued flow of information from the public. The police are urging anyone with any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to come forward. The seemingly mundane details, such as the consistent presence of the pale green carrier bag, could potentially hold clues to their whereabouts. The details of Louis’s physical description – white, 5ft 5ins, slim build, and shaved head – and Rebecca’s – white, 5ft 11ins, slim build, dark hair in a ponytail – are crucial for public identification. The combined efforts of law enforcement and the community are paramount in bringing this concerning case to a resolution and ensuring the safe return of Rebecca and Louis. The release of the CCTV footage and the updated descriptions are vital steps in this ongoing investigation, highlighting the importance of public vigilance and cooperation.