The family of missing person Lee Boxell has pleaded with the public to “help ease our years of pain” after the disappearance of their son 35 years ago.

In a fresh appeal for information about the teenager’s disappearance at the age of 15, Lee’s parents, Peter and Christine Boxell, have said they are desperate for their son to be returned to them.

Lee left his home in Sutton, south London, to go shopping on 10 September 1988, the Metropolitan Police said.

He met a friend who he left at 1pm. The last confirmed sighting of Lee was in Sutton High Street at around 2.20pm, police said.

There have been no other confirmed sightings of him in the 35 years since.

Lee would now be around the age of 50.

‘We hope to say goodbye before it’s too late’

Mr and Mrs Boxell fear their son may have been murdered, having not heard or seen him since 1988.

“We are still hoping that someone will come forward to help find his remains, so that my wife and I can say goodbye to our beloved son before it’s too late for us (we are in our late 70s),” Mr Boxell said in the appeal.

“If you can help us and his sister finally know what happened and have some closure, please, do what’s right.

“This really does give someone a chance to do the right thing and help ease our years of pain. We can then see Lee finally laid to rest,” he added.

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Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said police do not have conclusive evidence that Lee came to harm, but with no sightings or credible information in 35 years, they believe Lee is no longer alive.

In 2014, three men were arrested on suspicion of murder, but were later released on bail.

“At this stage of our investigation, my priority is to find Lee so that he can be returned to his parents. Lee’s parents deserve answers and they deserve the opportunity to bury their much-loved son,” DCI Blackburn said.

“Your information could help end the suffering for Lee’s family. If you can help, anonymously or otherwise please do get in touch.”

There is also a £20,000 reward for any information that leads to the recovery of Lee’s remains.

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