Dangerous Scots sex offender hunted over partner's 'murder' may be dead

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Detectives searching for a dangerous sex offender wanted in connection with the death of his partner believe he could be dead.Dating app user Richard Scatchard, 70, is being hunted by police after 61-year-old Kelly Faiers was found murdered at his home in Somerset, on October 15.The 70-year-old, who speaks with a Scottish accent, is considered a "danger to women" and has previous convictions for sexual offences, in which he was found to have drugged his victims.Scatchard, who also goes by the name of Richard Dunlop, disappeared on October 16 after officers returned to his property to question him.

Specialist teams searching for the pensioner say they have 'no proof he is alive' after there have been no reported sightings in three months.

Avon and Somerset Police Superintendent Lisa Simpson said: "We have spoken with both Kelly’s family and Scatchard’s and been honest with them that there have been three months without proof of him being alive and that is an extremely long time.“While these searches are partly being carried out with that in mind, we remain open minded that Scatchard may well still be alive and do not give up hope someone can provide crucial information that leads to his arrest."We are conscious that after three months, no confirmed sightings or proof of life that crucial clues as to what has happened to Scatchard may be found in a more inaccessible location, especially if he has come to harm, which a member of the public or previous searches would not ordinarily come across.“Ultimately, we hope to find Scatchard alive so we can question him, and continue to urge the public to contact us if they see him.”Scratchard has been placed on the Crimestoppers’ Most Wanted list and there is a £10,000 reward for