Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mackenzie Crook ‘clutching at straws’ to find missing sister-in-law Laurel Aldridge

Last week, the actor also appealed to the public for help in finding his sister-in-law, who was recently diagnosed with cancer

Peony Hirwani
Tuesday 21 February 2023 08:20 EST
Comments
The Office star Mackenzie Crook asks public to help find missing sister-in-law

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Mackenzie Crook said his family are “clutching at straws” to find his sister-in-law who went missing a week ago.

Laurel Aldridge, 62, was reported missing from her home in Walberton, in the Arundel area of West Sussex, on Tuesday (14 February).

Crook, who is known for roles in The Office, Pirates Of The Caribbean, and Worzel Gummidge, said on Good Morning Britain: “It’s a week now, it was this time last Tuesday that she left the house with nothing but the clothes she was wearing, no keys, money, phone, and she’s not been seen since.

“I’m here at Slindon cricket ground which was the last positive sighting we had of her and that was a week ago, since then, nothing.

“She was diagnosed with cancer last year and she missed her fifth chemo session last Tuesday and we think that’s what has triggered some sort of crisis in her and she’s gone off for a long walk somewhere…we are really clutching at straws now after a week.”

Last week, the actor also appealed to the public for help in finding his sister-in-law.

Speaking to ITV, Crook said the disappearance of his sister-in-law, who is undergoing chemotherapy, was “very out of character”.

He said extensive searches were taking place and urged people to look in their back gardens and other places where she may have sought refuge.

(Sussex Police and Getty Images)

“She left her house early Tuesday morning and she’s not been seen since,” he told ITV.

“That’s in the Walberton area where a lot of people are looking in the local woodlands along the roads and stuff like that.

“I’d really like to appeal to people to go out into their back gardens and have a look in places where she might have taken rest.

“She’s been missing out for three nights – we’re entering the fourth one now (so), we’re obviously really worried.

“If I could appeal to everyone, even if they checked before, check again in likely places where she might have crept in to lay down for the night.”

According to Crook, Aldridge was last seen wearing a bright blue fleece but with a grey coat over the top, a brown woolly hat, a turtle scarf and black trousers.

Additional reporting from agencies

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in