Peter Widdowson, the husband of Denise Widdowson who has been missing since Thursday 16 July would like to make the following appeal:
I am here today to appeal for help in finding my wife Denise Widdowson, who went missing from our home in Giffard Park two weeks ago today.
On the morning Denise went missing she woke me at around 6am to tell me she was going to the local shop to get a newspaper. I was still half asleep but reminded her the shop would not be open for another hour. A while later I got up and went to the bathroom and Denise was on the computer. I went back to bed and that was the last time I saw her.
When I woke up around 8.30 and came downstairs, the patio door was open, the paper Denise had gone to the shop to buy was on the table and there was a half-empty cup of tea outside on the patio but Denise was nowhere to be seen.
Her hairdresser was due to come to the house at 10am for an appointment and as it got closer to that time and she didn’t come back, I started to get worried. I went out on my bicycle to look for her along familiar routes and places we walked together. But by midday when I hadn’t found her I called the police.
Denise has never stayed out overnight without me. She likes to be in her own bed and doesn’t like to stay away from home for even one night. She left the house with no coat, no handbag and no phone.
Denise is a very private person and it takes her a while to feel comfortable around new people. She would be absolutely horrified that she has caused so much fuss. She is retired now but previously worked as a teaching assistant, which she loved. She enjoys knitting and had just started to try and knit socks as a new challenge. She also enjoys walking and we often went out on a Sunday together for a walk around Willen Lake.
Denise has a small group of close friends and three brothers, and they are all extremely concerned about her.
I want to appeal to anyone who may have seen Denise on the day she went missing or at anytime since to please contact police as soon as possible. I miss Denise a great deal and the only way I can get through this is to try and keep busy. The worst time is when I am at home on my own, which I try to avoid at the moment. I have had great support from family, neighbours and friends but all I want to know is where Denise is and if she is ok. We have been married 35 years and for her to suddenly not be there anymore is devastating.
I would like to appeal to taxi drivers, bus drivers and people working in local shops to have a good look at the photos of Denise and contact police if they remember seeing her or giving her a lift somewhere.
Finally, Denise, if you see this appeal please contact someone and let them know you are safe. We all miss you very much and we just want to know you are OK.
If you have any information about Denise’s whereabouts or if you have seen her since she went missing, please contact Milton Keynes Police station via the 24-hour non-emergency number, 0845 8 505 505. If you do not want to speak to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
