True Crime All The Time Unsolved: Disappearance of Steven Clark

Podcast: True Crime All The Time Unsolved
Episode: Steven Clark
Date: March 3, 2025
Hosted by: Mike Ferguson and Mike “Gibby” Gibson

Main Theme

This episode focuses on the mysterious disappearance of Steven Clark from North Yorkshire, UK, in 1992. The hosts detail Steven’s life and disappearance, the investigation, the shocking arrest of his parents nearly 30 years later, and the lack of resolution in the case. As always, the hosts blend empathy for the victims and families with their trademark light banter, but maintain sincere respect for the seriousness of the story.

Episode Breakdown & Key Points

1. Introduction & Background ([04:20])

• Steven Clark’s Disappearance: On December 28, 1992, 23-year-old Steven Clark vanished from Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire. Nearly 30 years later, his elderly parents, Doris and Charles, were arrested on suspicion of his murder.
• Personal Background: Steven was born in the UK but lived in South Africa for much of his childhood. His parents, Doris and Charles, were former police officers.
• Early Trauma: At age 2, Steven was hit by a truck and spent a month in a coma; doctors said he’d never walk or talk again. He proved them wrong but was left with physical disabilities—a limp and limited use of one arm.

"To be hit by a truck, wow. At any age is brutal. But to be hit by a truck when you're 2 years old…" — Mike Ferguson, [05:26]

• Steven’s Personality & Accomplishments: Despite disabilities, he was upbeat, determined, loved Arsenal football club, played euphonium, was a strong swimmer, loved computers, and won “Apprentice of the Year” through the Rathbone Society for people with disabilities. His family described him as positive, happy, and enthusiastic.

"If you worry, you die, and if you don't worry, you die. So why worry?" — Steven to his sister Victoria, [07:32]

• Family Dynamics: Steven’s younger sister, Victoria, was very protective, often diverting attention away from him in public to shield him from stares or ridicule.

2. Details of the Disappearance ([11:22])

• Events of December 28, 1992: Steven and Doris walked to Saltburn, a three-mile journey. At the pier, they went to public restrooms—Doris last saw Steven entering the men's room. She waited outside, didn’t see him come out, and eventually went home thinking he’d return.
• Initial Search: When Steven never arrived, Charles (his father) searched locally and beyond, but there was no sign of him. It was uncharacteristic for Steven to leave without notification or belongings.
• Key Clues: Steven left behind his wallet, glasses, and watch. There was no bank activity; police doubted he would have left voluntarily.

"Most people who are going to, let's say, go start a new life, they're going to want their glasses, they're going to want their wallet... None of that is a good sign." — Mike Ferguson, [16:25]

3. Investigation, Theories & The Cold Case ([17:04])

• Early Theories: Suggestions ranged from accident (falling into water) to voluntary disappearance, but evidence for any theory was scant.
• Family Refusal to Declare Death: Despite police urging, the Clarks never declared Steven legally dead, holding onto hope.

"Dealing with ambiguous loss is a life sentence. The constant painful limbo of not knowing is a horrible thing to live with." — Family statement, [37:46]

• The Anonymous Letter ([17:48]): In 1999, police received a mystery letter claiming to know what happened to Steven. The content was largely kept secret until decades later.
• Case Reopened: In 2020, investigators revisited the case. Det. Chief Insp. Sean Page noted the absence of “proof of life” and classified the case as suspected murder.

4. The Arrest of Steven’s Parents ([19:02])

• Shock Arrest: In September 2020, Doris (81) and Charles (78) were arrested for Steven’s murder, accused of burying his body in their backyard.
• Lack of Motive or Evidence: Police never detailed an alleged motive when questioned, and forensics found nothing incriminating at their home or in the garden.

"Why they pick on us, I haven't got a clue. Why it took so long to free us, I don't know." — Charles Clark, [21:21]

• Police Action: Their arrest seemed to be based on the old anonymous letter and a late witness sighting. The parents were released on bail after spending five days in a hotel while their house was searched ([22:08]).
• Witness Developments: A new witness in 2020 claimed to have seen Steven near home after the restroom incident, which seemed pivotal in police revising the timeline and location.

5. Investigative Dead Ends and Family Ordeal ([27:14])

• Release without Charges: After 17 weeks, Doris and Charles were released without charges. The police interviewed the anonymous letter writer, which apparently exonerated the parents.
• Family’s Perspective: Daughter Victoria called the arrest an ongoing nightmare, stating the police lacked empathy and operated on a "guilty until proven innocent" approach. She also expressed anger and distrust of police actions.

"The total lack of empathy and kindness and that guilty until proven innocent approach was unacceptable." — Victoria Orr, [40:20]

• Impact on the Family: The ordeal led to distrust of police and a formal complaint against them. Victoria described prison as “scary and ludicrous” for her elderly parents, and the arrest as deeply traumatic ([30:49]).
• Public & Personal Fallout: The family invited an investigative journalist into their home for a documentary, and used the 30th anniversary to highlight ambiguous loss and the need for answers ([37:46]).

6. Final Theories & Closing Thoughts ([48:47])

• Relationships Explored: Police looked into a short-lived romantic relationship Steven may have had prior to his disappearance, but family felt it was irrelevant.
• Unresolved Sightings: Several potential sightings after December 28 were unsupported or unconfirmed.
• No New Evidence: By 2023, police had no active leads but encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
• Host Reflections: The hosts stress the lasting pain for families of missing people and the rare, disturbing nature of a family being targeted by police decades later based seemingly on scant evidence.

"Any time that you're spending locked up when you shouldn't be is an hour too much, a minute too much." — Mike Ferguson, [44:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Steven’s Outlook:
  “If you worry, you die, and if you don’t worry, you die. So why worry?” — Steven (as recalled by his sister Victoria), [07:32]

• On the Arrest:
  “How did they know he had been murdered? As far as we know, there’s no evidence.” — Doris Clark, [30:49]
  “Go ahead and close the case, and we’ll just call it done.” — Gibby, [17:45]

• On Ambiguous Loss:
  “Dealing with ambiguous loss is a life sentence. The constant painful limbo of not knowing is a horrible thing to live with… We still hope that he will walk through the door one day.” — Family Statement, [37:46]

• On Evidence:
  “But I think what Doris said... that’s a sentiment shared by a lot of loved ones of missing family members...” — Mike Ferguson, [38:30]

Important Timestamps

• [04:20] – Introduction to Steven Clark and his background
• [11:22] – Disappearance details
• [17:04] – Early theories, family hopes
• [19:02] – Parents’ arrest—shock, details, and aftermath
• [22:08] – Forensics search, weight of the anonymous letter
• [28:52] – Parents’ release, family reaction
• [34:18] – Introduction of Steven’s possible relationships
• [37:46] – Family statement on ambiguous loss
• [40:20] – Victoria’s criticism of the police and her experience
• [44:09] – Reflections on wrongful incarceration
• [48:47] – Hosts’ concluding thoughts

Concluding Reflections

• The disappearance of Steven Clark remains a mystery with unresolved questions, flawed police leads, and a family left in permanent limbo.
• The episode highlights issues of investigative tunnel vision, ambiguous loss, and the long-term trauma caused not just by the disappearance but by police missteps.
• The hosts close with empathy for the Clark family, skepticism toward the integrity of the investigation, and a hope that answers may still eventually surface.

Contact Information:
If you have any information about Steven Clark, contact Cleveland Police or Crimestoppers UK at 0800-555-111 or visit their websites.

This summary provides a detailed, timestamped overview of the episode, highlights crucial developments, and preserves the thoughtful, sometimes lighthearted but always respectful tone of Mike and Gibby.