Jack O'Sullivan's mum reveals 'renewed area of interest' in search for son

'The police are not helping us so we have to do things ourselves'

The family of the missing 23-year-old Jack O'Sullivan has taken proactive steps by hiring private search dog teams after expressing dissatisfaction with police efforts. The specialist teams have pinpointed a new 'area of interest' in the ongoing search.

Jack vanished after he was last spotted at 3.15am on Saturday, March 2, near Brunel Lock Road/Brunel Way in Bristol. His mother, Catherine O'Sullivan, disclosed that they had engaged a professional dog team to scour the vicinity extending from his last known location to their home, four miles away, reports Bristol Live.

Catherine reported that the dogs showed signs of distress at a specific spot along the A370 bypass. Despite presenting this information to Avon and Somerset Police, she faced a week-long wait before the force agreed to act on the lead.

Frustrated by the lack of immediate investigation and communication about subsequent steps, Catherine, aged 52, expressed her concerns: "What we did ourselves a couple of weeks ago is we got in touch with specialist search dog teams."

"They have visited Bristol now three times - we put in a plan based on where Jack was last seen with the limited amount of information we have got from police. It has been really difficult getting them to share information and we did not want to waste time going over the same areas. But police would not tell us where they had looked so we started from scratch.

"The dog teams have searched logical areas on Jack's route home. An area was identified during the search. It was an area of concern and the dogs were a bit agitated. We went to the police with the information but still don't know if they have investigated it.

"It is the maddest thing. The police are not helping us so we have to do things ourselves. The team we are using are accredited and police use them. They are working their way through from the centre of Bristol to where we live four miles away.

"This process is ongoing. What they did was put a report together to suggest police officially go there. It has taken us a week to get that recognised by police and they only sent an email two days ago saying they should have completed the review by today (September 18).

"I can barely believe we are having a conversation about something, even a suggestion and a small chance Jack might be there and we are not being taken seriously. I want them (to) look immediately."

Catherine mentioned the worrying stretch between where Jack vanished near the bridge and the family's residence along the A370 bypass, characterising the spot as "really hard to access and the traffic is fast flowing".

She shared her exasperation, remarking: "It is one route home that Jack potentially could have tried to walk. My suggestion on the first day was police go and search that area - but they were just convinced he did not get that far.

"I have suggested throwing myself in a bush just to raise awareness. Three police dogs all indicated an area. The search team said it wouldn't be enough to immediately plough in and tear apart - but the suggestion was to go in there and look - could be item of clothing.

"There was enough to make them want to report it. Police told us they had to put it to the review team. But it was a full week before they came back. They said they had put it up for consideration and were going to look into it. But it was all really vague and they won't say when or how it is being done. I am aghast we have had to wait so long. An hour is a long time in my book."

Catherine also revealed that despite the overwhelming support from the community, she continues to be harassed by a troll who is 'blackmailing' her, demanding a ransom for information. She has informed the police about the individual but disclosed that she received another message from him just this morning.

She continued: "I have forwarded the details to the police. I don't believe what they are say but he is demanding money for answers. That is blackmail and extortion. It seriously needs looking at. Not that they know anything but what they are doing is so bad.

"He told me today he was not happy I had gone to the police. So they must have contacted him but he still feels the need to contact me again. I've blocked his phone number but he is sending me stuff via Facebook again. I am half leaving open the lines of communication to gather evidence against him."

Over 20 teams from Avon and Somerset Police have been on the case since Jack's disappearance, supported by a cast of agencies including the fire brigade, ambulance crews, and the RNLI.

A spokesperson revealed that officers have pored over 100 hours of CCTV, conducted searches of riverbanks lasting over 200 hours, and utilised both horse patrols and drone technology. The force has received close to 100 calls with potential sightings and has made eight pleas through media channels.

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall commented: "Our staff and officers remain committed to doing everything we can to find Jack and we do not underestimate what a distressing time this has been, and continues to be, for his family. When I look at missing persons investigations [in Avon and Somerset] over the last year, we've had around 5 and a half thousand.

"Missing people are somebody's loved ones, they're somebody's family, and we don't close the door on that."

Enquiries have been made to Avon and Somerset Police for further information on the recent call to scour the bypass area.

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