True Crime All The Time Unsolved
Episode: Trevaline Evans
Release Date: April 13, 2026
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Gibson (Gibby)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the 1990 unsolved disappearance of Trevaline Evans, a well-liked antique shop owner from Llangollen, North Wales. Despite an apparently happy and stable life, Evans vanished after leaving a note on her shop door that she’d be “back in 2 minutes.” The hosts explore her background, the circumstances of the disappearance, investigative twists (including possible sightings, suspects, familial impact, and later developments), and the enduring mystery around her fate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Background

• Trevaline Evans:
  • 52-year-old grandmother from Llangollen, a small Welsh town (population approx. 3,600 in 2021) ([03:00])
  • Owned Attic Antiques shop; married to Richard Evans (maintenance engineer). They had one adult son, Police Sgt. Richard Evans ([03:32]).
  • The couple planned to retire to their coastal bungalow; Trevaline seemed happy and had plans with friends ([05:04], [06:35]).

Disappearance (Timeline)

• June 16, 1990 ([02:47]):

  • Trevaline opened her shop at 9:30 AM; parked her car—a blue Ford Escort—200 yards away ([05:22]).
  • She was seen that morning by approx. 25 friends/customers, reported as relaxed and cheerful ([06:05]).
  • Around 12:40 PM, left a sign on the shop door: “Back in 2 minutes” ([07:12]).
  • Her brother Lynn Davies visited, found the note, returned 25 minutes later, still no sign of her ([08:03]).
  • Husband Richard reportedly returned around 5 PM, shop locked, lights on; brother entered through the rear at 11 PM—Evans reported missing at midnight ([08:29]).

• Personal Belongings Left Behind:

  • Purse, car keys, other shop key, jacket, fruit, and flowers. Car still parked nearby ([09:53]).
  • She bought an apple and banana after leaving the shop—banana peel found in shop trash, suggesting possible return ([10:27]).

Theories and Mindset

• Voluntary Disappearance Considered:

  • Police briefly theorized midlife crisis but both family and police described her as happy, with no signs of distress ([10:50], [12:22]).
  • No bank activity or indications she purposely left ([12:22]).
  • Son Richard: “We're at a complete loss and have not got a clue about what has happened... It's completely out of the blue.” ([14:28])

• Quote: Richard Evans (son), [14:28]:

  • "There is no indication she was going anywhere. It’s completely out of the blue. And that for us is the worrying thing."

Investigative Developments

• Timeline Complications & Sightings:

  • Witness claims she was seen leaving her home on Market Street at 2:30 PM, possibly returning to her shop ([18:43]).
  • Unconfirmed sightings: walking out of town along A5 at 2:35 PM, walking back toward the river at 3:45 PM ([19:30]).
  • Discrepancy in husband Richard’s timeline: police later said he returned to town earlier than he initially stated ([20:22]).

• Person of Interest:

  • Witnesses reported seeing Trevaline with a well-dressed man (50s, 5’6”, medium build, navy blazer) at 9:30 AM and possibly again later that afternoon ([22:32]). An artist’s impression circulated, but not confirmed accurate ([28:03], [33:58]).
  • Unconfirmed “fleeting glimpse” of her in the shop with a man at 4 PM ([23:49]).

• Police Actions:

  • Intensive investigation: door-to-door interviews, searched waterways, mine shafts, caves ([27:28]).
  • Over 330 statements, 1,500 names checked, 685 cars logged/eliminated ([28:21]).
  • Interpol involved following reported sightings in London, France, Australia ([28:25]).

• Psychics & Media Appeals:

  • Medium pointed to possible remains at “World’s End” (searched, nothing found) ([29:17]).
  • Continued appeals by family for case to remain active ([39:34]).

Familial Impact

• **Son Richard died of a heart attack at 37 in 1999; family believed disappearance weighed heavily ([31:41]).
• **Husband Richard arrested and questioned in 2001, but released with no charges; passed away in 2014 without knowing what happened ([36:42], [45:47]).

Later Case Developments

• Case reopened in 2001; DCI Alan Jones admits suspicion of crime, seeks new forensic clues ([32:18]).

  • “I’m looking for a body and I’m convinced it will be found in the Llangollen area.” — DCI Jones, [37:04]

• Cold Case Links:

  • Ruled out ties to other regional disappearances ([21:29]).
  • Potential links (later discounted) to convicted UK serial killers Robin Lygus and Christopher Hallowell ([42:10], [45:07]).

• The Rutland Golf Club Mystery:

  • 2019: Local brothers used a special camera to photograph what they believed were human remains at the golf club; police searched later and found nothing. The brothers received threats after speaking out ([45:48], [47:00]).
  • Cryptic plaques referencing Trevaline’s remains being removed from the golf club appeared on benches in 2021 and 2022; author of plaques remains unknown ([49:00], [49:31]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike (on the “back in 2 minutes” sign):
  “That’s very specific. You can’t do a lot in two minutes. Two minutes goes by very quickly.” ([07:35])

• Gibby (on voluntary disappearance):
  “I just find it really difficult when someone goes missing, but their purse and their, you know, car and their bank account… none of that’s been touched.” ([13:06])

• Richard Evans (son):
  “She’s such a logical sort of woman. I don’t think she would do anything spontaneous like this. It doesn’t follow a pattern.” ([14:32])

• Lynn Davies (brother, 2010):
  “You accept it. People you speak to have different ideas about what happened… But my opinion is that she has been abducted.” ([39:59])

• Mike (about suspicious evidence disappearing):
  “Or did whoever… if there really was remains, did whoever put them there know that these brothers had stumbled on to them and got rid of them, before police actually got out there?” ([46:49])

• On the cryptic plaques:
  “Justice awaits those responsible for the removal and disposal of Trevline Evans in this life or next… May the Lord have mercy upon their soul.” ([49:01])

Key Timestamps

• [02:47] — Trevaline’s background and context for disappearance
• [05:22] — Routine and events the day she disappeared
• [07:12] — “Back in 2 minutes” sign and immediate aftermath
• [09:53] — Personal items left behind
• [10:50] — Police consider midlife crisis and voluntary disappearance
• [14:28] — Family’s appeal and perspective
• [18:43] — Alternate sightings/new timeline information
• [22:32] — Possible suspect and artist’s impression
• [27:28] — Police investigations and scale
• [31:41] — Family tragedy: son’s untimely death
• [32:18] — Case reopened, focus on new forensic techniques
• [36:42] — Husband arrested/questioned years later
• [42:10] — Links explored to serial killers (Lygus, Hallowell)
• [45:48] — Rutland Golf Club remains and associated mystery
• [49:00] — The cryptic plaques and continuing intrigue
• [51:02] — Hosts’ wrap-up and enduring questions

Conclusion

The disappearance of Trevaline Evans is described by the hosts as “a tremendous mystery” that continues to baffle family, detectives, and the small community of Llangollen. Despite thorough investigation, possible suspects, and even strange postscript events like the golf club remains and mysterious plaques, there is no closure. Neither suicide nor voluntary flight seems plausible; abduction or foul play remains the most likely theory, though with little concrete evidence or resolution.

Hosts’ Tone:
Casual but respectful, with typical asides and humor, but seriousness when addressing the victim and family’s suffering.

For more information or to provide tips, listeners are encouraged to contact North Wales Police. The hosts express hope that advances in forensic science or future witnesses may still bring answers to this enduring Welsh mystery.