One month on and DJ Derek is still missing

Fears grow for Bristol legend


ONE month since the last confirmed sighting of Bristol music legend DJ Derek, and his family say they are “giving up on getting any good news.”

Derek Serpell-Morris was last seen on CCTV entering and then leaving The Criterion pub, Ashley Road, St Pauls between 11.30pm and 12.15am on July 10 and 11.

Since then, the 73 year-old has made no contact with his friends or family, has not returned to his St Paul’s home and has not used his bank account.

Jennifer Griffiths, DJ Derek’s great niece, said the pressure is getting to the family and they are desperate for news.

She told The Bristol Post: “It is very stressful and upsetting, I think we are just starting to give up on getting any good news.

“The police are going through CCTV footage and carrying on their investigations and we are continuing to raise awareness.”

Despite appeals from the police and forensic investigations, officers have no clue to the pensioner’s whereabouts.

As well as looking around his St Paul’s home detectives have been continuing to focus their efforts in the missing person inquiry in Yate.

A credible, but not confirmed, sighting of DJ Derek was made by his former neighbours at the south Gloucestershire town’s bus station on either July 16 or 17 at about midday.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police ruled out searching the city’s rivers at present.

The family raised £1,110 at a music night in Pranj’s Bar, Corn Street on Thursday.

The money will be used to print t-shirts and flyers appealing for information about the reggae-loving DJ.

Massive Attack’s Daddy G, Rapper Dizzee Rascal, Geoff Barrow of Portishead, Roni Size and Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank are among the musicians who have backed a social media campaign to find Derek.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting reference number MP3388/15