Do you know what happened to Javier? (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Do you know what happened to Javier?

12:31pm Friday 21st November 2008 in Missing People News By Ian Mason

A family has been left devastated by the disappearance of a loving husband, devoted brother and father of twin boys last seen in North Sheen – but relatives refuse to give up hope.

Javier Comendador Rey, 50, originally from Galicia, Spain, and living in Richmond went missing on November 4 and has not been seen since.

Javier’s disappearance is one of many referred to Missing People but the East Sheen charity knows every case is different and is on hand to support anyone affected by such a loss or their missing loved one.

Cousin, Ruckhsana Khan, who lives in St Alban’s, said: “His wife is in limbo – what does she do? How long do you wait until you start changing your life around?

“You lose focus, your mind starts wandering and you think what could have happened – is he dead or alive?

“It’s the not knowing, it’s horrible, it’s torture.”

"My brother participated in 10 different marathons. I would like to tell him life is a very long and very hard marathon, but the important thing, as he knows, is just to arrive."

Javier's sister Beatriz Comendador

Most of the Spaniard’s family live in Galicia but have been regularly coming over to Richmond since in a desperate attempt to find out where he is or what happened to him.

Miss Khan continued: “Our worst fear is that he is lying somewhere and needs help and nobody knows who he is or where he is from.

“You can imagine the hell it is for someone when a loved or dear one vanishes off the face of the earth – gone – not a clue.

“But they are still hopeful they will be reunited.

“You have to have hope, it is something to cling to.”

Miss Khan is grateful for the practical help offered by staff at Missing People and is calling on anyone with any information to make contact with them or the police.

Javier’s wife, Hilda, and his three brothers and two sisters have yet to tell his seven-year-old twin sons, Javier and Hector, or his parents what has happened.

“We cannot believe he would have taken off without telling anyone,” Miss Khan added.

“You could say maybe it was because he was sad or down but he never was.

“We won’t rest until we find him or find out what’s happened to him.”

Javier's siter, Beatriz Comendador, said: "Our message is just to ask him to contact anyone, just tell us that he is OK.

"My brother participated in 10 different marathons. I would like to tell him life is a very long and very hard marathon, but the important thing, as he knows, is just to arrive."

Javier Comendador Rey

Javier came to the UK five months ago after accepting a teaching job. He hoped to “test the water” here before bringing his wife and children over to join him.

He teaches Spanish and had been working at schools in Bromley and Enfield. Javier was supposed to be working at a school in Wimbledon on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 5, but never attended.

Police have since established that he was seen making his way home on Tuesday night after confirming a CCTV sighting at around 9.30pm.

Missing People is urging him to get in touch by calling the confidential service Message Home on Freefone 0800 700 740 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where he can get help and support. There is great concern for Javier as his disappearance is out of character.

He is 5ft 5in, of slim build with green eyes and short, brown hair.

• The Richmond and Twickenham Times is hoping to raise £15,000 for the charity as part of its Christmas appeal. To download a donation form">click here. For more information on the charity call freefone 0800 298 78 58 or visit missingpeople.org.uk/donate.