Mother appeals for help in tracing daughter missing for three weeks

A MOTHER made a desperate appeal yesterday for help in tracing her missing daughter.

Vera Smith spoke of her torment since daughter Sharon Smith, 49, disappeared more than three weeks ago from their home in Hull.

Mrs Smith recalled her daughter’s last words: “She turns round to me and says: ‘I love you mam but I know I am hurting you.”

At a police Press conference in Hull, Mrs Smith said her daughter had problems but urged her: “If you hear this appeal, please contact me or the police and let them know you are safe. I am missing you so much.

She added: “She is a lovely person, she cares for me quite a lot but recently she has been very, very depressed, she lost her job in December and she has no money.”

Miss Smith was meant to start a rehabilitation programme the following week to deal with her drink problem.

Mrs Smith, of Endike Lane, Hull, said since her daughter left she had been unable to sleep: “When I go past her bedroom I think is she home, is she in bed. I go in her room and I look out of the window – I don’t wish this on anyone.

“All I can say is, Sharon, you’re not doing the right thing, no way are you doing the right thing by staying away. All you’ve got to do is pick up the phone.”

She said her daughter would go away for a few days to the seaside at Scarborough or Bridlington, but she was a “real home bird” and they had never been separated for so long.

Miss Smith’s sister Colleen Hoult said: “We just can’t believe it that she’s not got into contact. If she doesn’t want to come home let me and my mum know she is all right.”

Miss Smith, who is 5ft 3in tall and slim, was last seen wearing a long black coat with a fur collar, trousers with a wasp-style elastic belt and black ankle boots. She was carrying a small black handbag.