Jeremy and Caroline Heeler-Flood’s son, Arthur, has been missing since Tuesday, 6h September, and the couple appeared on ITV’s This Morning in a bid to find him.
Talking to Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, Caroline explained how the 15-year-old usually cycles to the post office in the morning where he leaves his bike before boarding the bus to Colyton Grammer School.
However, on this particular day, the teenager never went to school, and his parents became concerned when he didn’t come home that evening.
"Where we live it is very rural so he often cycles to the post office and leaves his bike there and gets the bus to school," Caroline explained.
"But when he didn't come home I drove up the post office and there was no sign of his bike, so I came home and we thought perhaps he decided to cycle all the way to school because he had cycled down to Colyton before.
"When he still didn't appear, we started to get very anxious because this had never happened before."
Police release fresh appealfor #missing Arthur Heeler-Frood who went missing from #Axminster https://t.co/0zd4O8Nazf pic.twitter.com/x3lsEesBTf
— DevonCornwall Police (@DC_Police) September 14, 2016
However, the following day, Jeremy and Caroline received a note from their son in which he explained that he was bored of his life and would return in under a year.
The letter, which Holly read out, shed some light on what happened that day.
"To Mum and Dad,
"I have run away because I am bored of my life. Please do not try to find me or make me come home.
"I don't know how long I will be away for but it won't be longer than a year. You will find my school uniform in a bin bag in a small barn in the field on the green down the road Membury Church."
@DC_Police Come home Arthur, people of Axminster are genuinely concerned and miss you. Let your family know you're okay, please..
— Soul Searching (@Dru_Anu) November 8, 2016
"My bike is chained to the fence and there is a spare key to the lock of the window. Please apologise to the restaurant and tell them that I will no longer be able to work there," he continued.
"I know you will be upset but please understand that I have to do this, from Arthur."
Turning to the camera both Caroline and Jeremy pleaded with Arthur to make contact, and suggested that he get in touch with Missing People on 116000.
