A family’s life changed irrevocably when their 12-year-old daughter, Lara Atkins, went missing for 36 hours. The incident, which occurred shortly before Christmas, has left lasting grief and anguish for her parents, Shaun and Lara’s mother, as they navigated the harrowing search for their daughter.
On a busy Sunday afternoon, Lara vanished after expressing her intention to play football. Her mother, initially reluctant to involve law enforcement, called the police when hours passed without any word. “She doesn’t often go missing,” she told the dispatcher, unaware of the turmoil that was about to unfold.
Police were dispatched to their home in Parsons Green shortly after the call. The officers searched Lara’s room and requested a photograph. As they combed the area, the family’s anxiety escalated dramatically. Within an hour, helicopters hovered overhead, their searchlights scanning the Thames for any sign of the girl.
When night fell without Lara’s return, the family’s hope began to wane. “This is the beginning of the rest of our lives,” her mother thought, grappling with the grim reality that they might never see their daughter again.
The police returned later that night with trained German Shepherd dogs, who searched the grounds, the church, and even the family’s garden. The intensity of the situation became palpable, with officers removing the winter cover from the family’s above-ground pool, shining torches into the murky water.
Throughout the night, a police constable remained with the family, offering a silent presence as they confronted the reality of their situation. As the hours stretched on, Lara’s mother sat on their bed, reflecting on the silence that had replaced the joyful sound of her daughter’s violin, which once filled their home with music.
The following morning brought media coverage as the family decided to go public with their plight. “When she walks through that door,” a newspaper editor told her, “you won’t care what you’ve done.” By midday, news crews had gathered outside their home, amplifying the family’s desperate search for their daughter.
Eventually, after several tense hours, the police managed to bring Lara home, smuggling her through the church to avoid the throngs of journalists. The relief was overwhelming, but the aftermath was just beginning.
In the weeks that followed, the family faced scrutiny and speculation about their parenting choices, with critics questioning their actions during the ordeal. Questions such as “Were they too strict?” and “Were resources being wasted?” emerged, adding to their emotional burden.
Lara’s mother has since reflected on the impact of that harrowing experience, noting the lasting psychological effects it has had on their family. “It is easier to be bereaved once and for ever than to suffer such torment of uncertainty,” she remarked, sharing her pain and the complex emotions that followed the return of their daughter.
As they continue to process their trauma, the family has urged others to support the SafeCall campaign, launched by The Independent in collaboration with the charity Missing People. The initiative aims to raise £165,000 to establish a free service dedicated to helping vulnerable children find safe futures.
For anyone facing a similar situation, the family encourages reaching out for help. Those needing advice or support can contact Missing People at 116 000, a free and confidential service.
Lara’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the fears faced by families when a child goes missing and the long-lasting impact such events can have on their lives.
