On Monday, police said that a Lithuanian man who was believed to have been killed in the United Kingdom on 2015, was found alive.
Weeks after police learned the man could be in danger, Ricardas Puisys was 35 when he was last seen in September 2015.
Officials from the Cambridgeshire Constabulary announced on Monday, in a morning press release, that police located the man alive in the town of Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, England.
“For almost five years Ricardas’ disappearance has been a complete mystery. That was until we received information at the end of June which led us to find him,” said Det. Chief Inspector Rob Hall of the Major Crime Unit overseeing Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire.
Police said that Puisys was with a group of Lithuanian men after he disappeared. Authorities added that they obtained some information that guided them to believe that the man was being abused and exploited.
“[W]e now believe Ricardas made the decision to run away as he had been a victim of crime, having previously been subject to exploitation,” Hall said. “A team of investigators worked tirelessly following up a number of inquiries, none leading to the discovery of Ricardas. That was until we received information that Ricardas may have been alive and still in the Wisbech area.”
Police discovered Puisys living in a hidden part of a wooded area in Wisbech.
“Ricardas was eventually found living in the undergrowth, very well concealed after having deliberately hidden and having not spoken with anyone for some time,” Hall said.
Police have since taken measures to ensure his safety and security.
“He is safe,” Hall said, “and we are working very closely with him to ensure he remains safe, but also to ensure he gets the support he needs after having lived through extremely difficult circumstances during the last five or more years.”
