Police seek information on 50-year-old disappearance of two boys, deemed ‘unexplained and potentially suspicious’

Law enforcement is appealing for new information regarding the disappearance of two young boys from west Belfast five decades ago. Thomas Spence, 11, from Rockdale Street, and John Rodgers, 13, from Rodney Drive, were last observed on the morning of November 26, 1974, at a bus stop located on the Falls Road. The boys were waiting for a bus destined for St Aloysius School, but they never arrived and have not been seen since. A PSNI spokesperson indicated that the circumstances surrounding the boys’ disappearance remain “unexplained and potentially suspicious”. In 2001, a 69-year-old man was apprehended on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearances. Following the arrest, two houses on Rodney Drive were excavated. No findings resulted from the search, and the man was released from police custody without charge. At that time, Detective Superintendent John Short stated that “despite any rumours,” the family could be “absolutely satisfied” that the police “conducted a thorough search.” The missing persons case continues to be open. “We are very aware of the pain and suffering that the families of Thomas and John continue to feel today particularly with not knowing the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of these two young innocent boys”, the PSNI spokesperson conveyed on Tuesday. They further added, “The PSNI will consider all investigative opportunities as part of the review and will consider all potential criminal offences that may be linked to their disappearance.” The PSNI Legacy Investigation Branch affirmed that any new information will be evaluated and considered by investigators.