Missing Aidan Roche: British hiker, 29, vanishes in the Swiss Alps – as desperate family and friends share last footage he took with woman in the background before he disappeared more than a month ago
- Aidan Roche, 29, was last heard from on June 22 while hiking in the Swiss Alps
- His anguished family have released last known videos taken by Aiden
A British hiker is still missing in the Swiss Alps after more than a month, as his desperate family release footage from his trip in an effort to identify those he was with before he disappeared.
Chemical engineer Aidan Roche, 29, was least heard from on June 22 while hiking in the famous Grindelward area of the Swiss Alps on the twelfth day of a two-week trip.
His anguished family and friends have now released the last known videos taken by Aidan, an experienced trekker, in an effort to identify the people he was with before he went missing.
The video shows how Aidan pans around the scenic mountainous area before a woman sitting on a bench appears in the background. His family’s hope is that the hikers can be identified and give any information they can on Aidan’s movements.
Aidan’s brother Connor Roche, 32, said: ‘We’re all missing Aidan so much – we just need him to come home.
‘The hardest thing that me and my family are dealing with is the unknown.’
Chemical engineer Aidan Roche, 29, (pictured) was least heard from on June 22 while hiking in the famous Grindelward area of the Swiss Alps on the twelfth day of a two-week trip
Aidan Roche, 29, went missing on a hiking trip in Switzerland’s Grindelwald area on June 22
His anguished family and friends have now released the last known videos taken by Aidan, an experienced trekker, in an effort to identify the people he was with before he went missing. The video shows how Aidan pans around the scenic mountainous area before a woman sitting on a bench appears in the background
He added: ‘You can’t help but imagine the worst of things sometimes – especially with it being this long since he went missing. But then you feel guilty for imagining those things.
‘Right now we just need more information – anything that can help us find him and bring him home.’
Connor and Aidan’s other brother Niall, 31, have walked the trail he was last seen on several times and a fundraiser set up to help with the ongoing search has already raised more than £30,000.
Aidan’s campervan was found at a campsite and has now been returned to the UK.
Teacher Beth Taylor, 26, a friend of Aidan, is sharing the last known videos taken by Aidan on TikTok.
She said: ‘This is awful – we all just need to know what has happened to him.
‘He’d never just disappear like this. There isn’t a day goes by normally without him making contact with friends and family – sharing pictures or videos.
‘We’re part of a massive group of really close friends – he wouldn’t just randomly go missing.
‘All of us absolutely adore him. He’s got the biggest heart. He’d do anything for anyone.
‘I know he would have spoken to the girl sitting near him in the video, and the people walking towards him.
‘We’re just hoping that someone can identify them and give us a new lead.’
Aidan’s brother Connor Roche, 32, said: ‘We’re all missing Aidan so much – we just need him to come home.’ Pictured: Aidan
Aidan Roche, 29, went missing on a hiking trip in Switzerland’s Grindelwald area on June 22.
It is believed Aidan, from Middlesbrough, was walking back to his caravan near the village of Grindelvald after visiting a glacier on June 22. Pictured: Video grabs from the last known video Aidan took from his hike
It is believed Aidan, from Middlesbrough, was walking back to his caravan near the village of Grindelvald after visiting a glacier on June 22.
Friends and family began messaging each other after a few days of not hearing from him, then created a group chat because they were so worried.
None of them have heard from Aidan, said to be about 6ft2ins and 13st, since an hour after he sent these videos.
Beth said: ‘Nothing adds up – apparently his van was left unlocked – nothing stolen – that’s not like him at all.
‘Not knowing is so hard. You swing between despair and hope. I’m just putting all my energy into finding answers.
‘We just need him to come home.’
Aidan’s parents Carole and Tony Roche added: ‘We’d like to thank the Swiss police and mountain rescue for the amazing job they’re doing.
‘They’ve been fantastic through the entire ordeal and have kept us updated every day with their operations and plans for future searches.’
Connor said: ‘Sharing the link to the GoFundMe, and the news articles and social media posts, anything like that is a massive help and hopefully will bring some new information to us.
‘I’d like to thank everyone who has shared links and donated to the fund so far.
‘The support from his friends and colleagues has been overwhelming and shows how loved he is.’
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