Family's plea over mysterious disappearance of pensioner who told step-daughter "I think I need to go to hospital"

The step-daughter of a York pensioner who has been missing for more than two weeks has spoken of the growing agony over his disappearance.
Joe Cafferkey, who has been missing for two weeks after telling his step-daughter "I think I need to go to hospital"Joe Cafferkey, who has been missing for two weeks after telling his step-daughter "I think I need to go to hospital"
Joe Cafferkey, who has been missing for two weeks after telling his step-daughter "I think I need to go to hospital"

Joseph Cafferkey, known as Joe, was reported missing on Friday, October 2 after he failed to turn up to a doctor's appointment, but has not been heard from since two days before when he spoke to a neighbour.

Step-daughter Debbie Smith said his disappearance was "totally out of character" and that the family were especially concerned about him as he had "not been the same" since he had been widowed five years ago, with his last words to her in a phone call on the Tuesday being, "I think I need to go to hospital".

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 72-year-old visited a local Post Office and spoke to his neighbour on the phone at around lunchtime on Wednesday, September 30, after he attended a doctor's appointment earlier in the morning. However, a subsequent appointment he had booked for two days later came and went with him never showing up.

Joe Cafferkey pictured with family. The 72-year-old disappeared from his home in York two weeks ago.Joe Cafferkey pictured with family. The 72-year-old disappeared from his home in York two weeks ago.
Joe Cafferkey pictured with family. The 72-year-old disappeared from his home in York two weeks ago.

Two days before that, Mr Cafferkey, who is originally from Ireland and speaks with a strong Irish accent, had had workers at his home in Acomb cutting down trees in his garden.

"We have been worried about Joe for some time," said Ms Smith, 56, who is also from York.

"He started drinking quite a lot when my mum died and he has been having a few accidents.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Only days before he went missing, he had a fall against a worktop in his kitchen and suffered a wound to his stomach. That's what his appointments during the week were for."

Concerns were initially raised for Mr Cafferkey on the Thursday, when his neighbour who is a friend and has a key to his home, did not see him as usual.

The following day, the same neighbour rang him with no answer, so went round and let herself in to check that he was okay.

After finding his home empty and his pet cat starving, the police were called and he was reported missing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"When I think back, I do think Joe was acting a bit strange when I called him on Tuesday," Ms Smith said.

"He was telling me about his accident, but then said, 'I think I'm going to have to go into hospital because I think I've got a stomach ulcer'."

She added: "We are so, so worried about him. We just don't understand it. He has not been the same since my mum died."

The family appealed for anyone in Acomb and the surrounding areas in York to check outhouses, sheds and gardens.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

North Yorkshire Police officers meanwhile have been looking at CCTV, doing local house and grounds searches and door-to-door appeals, as well as searches of places he liked to visit and volunteered for.

Anyone who may have any information on Mr Cafferkey, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.