Mum's plea to find son who disappeared aged 15 as his 40th birthday approaches

The mother of a teenager who was last seen at a house party when he was 15 has made an appeal for information ahead of what would have been his 40th birthday.

Robert Williams went missing from his home in Resolven, Neath, on 22 March 2002.

It is known that Robert went to a party in nearby Aberdulais the following day, but despite multiple police appeals he has never been found.

His mother, Cheryl, said: "Every minute of every day I think about Robert."

She asked for anyone with "even the slightest information, don't be afraid to come forward and tell the truth", and her "strength would always carry me through to get to the truth of what happened to Robert".

"Every day I wonder what happened and every day I hope for answers. I cannot begin to explain the sadness and emptiness I feel inside," she said.

Cheryl said the family would have "loved nothing more than to celebrate our son, brother, grandson, nephew and uncle's upcoming 40th birthday with him".

"We only wish we could have seen what man Robert would have become and wish he could see the incredible young man who is so proud to call Robert his brother.

"Rob would have adored his nephew and niece, who he never got the chance to meet."

Det Ch Insp Danielle Thorne said: "Robert's mother Cheryl has been through over two decades of anguish and frustration that no information has led to the discovery of what happened to Robert. We cannot begin to adequately understand how difficult this ordeal has been to her.

"The investigation has seen numerous leads and tip-offs which have all, devastatingly, come to nothing.

"However, we still harbour hope that somebody who knows exactly what happened to Robert will come forward and bring the search to an end."

She said when Robert left home he was wearing a red and navy jumper, black t-shirt, navy Adidas tracksuit bottoms, a navy Adidas jacket and Ellesse-make navy canvas shoes, and if anyone knew anything about what happened to him to come forward.

Despite extensive enquiries and numerous appeals for information in the 24 years since, Robert has not been found.

In September 2023, South Wales Police said they had arrested a 59-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man in connection with Robert's disappearance, but in February 2025 the force said no further action would be taken against them.

Cheryl expressed her "sincere gratitude and appreciation" to recently retired Det Insp Dai Butt for "never giving up on trying to find Robert and for his support throughout the investigation".

"One of the other most important people in this investigation has been PC Sam Phillips.

"Thank you for all the support, kindness, and compassion that you have given me over the years. The best police officer who has helped me through the most terrible time in my life," she added.