THE FAMILY of a Basingstoke man who disappeared in February 2021 are facing a new year without him.

Charles Knight, a father-of-two, was last seen at his parents' home in Burghclere on February 17, with next month marking a year since the 31-year-old went missing. 

Speaking to ITV News, Belinda Hooper, Charles’ mother, said: “It really does eat away at you. You know, just always thinking, always looking, always searching. My heart is just shattered.

“We’re all grieving but there will never be any closure until Charlie is found and that’s hard to know that could be months, it could be years, you know.

“To not have any kind of joy or happiness you know you can’t see light at the end of the tunnel at this moment in time.”

The search for Charles was scaled back by police in March after they extensively scoured the area for almost three weeks.

Searches were carried out in Newton Forest near to where Charles disappeared and in areas where he had connections including Odiham and the Wellington Estate.

Volunteers from Hampshire and Berkshire Search and Rescue assisted police with the search but no clues to Charles’ whereabouts were ever found.

He was said to have left home on foot without his mobile phone or wallet.

A Facebook page set up for people to post any information which would help find Charles has more than 7,000 members.

Although numerous suspected sightings have been posted by members, he has still not been found.

Charles, who was suffering with depression before he disappeared, is described as white, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, with tanned skin, of a slim build with dark hair and a beard.

He also has tattoos on his arms and hands.

Belinda told ITV that she will never give up looking for her son and is again appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with information about Charles’ disappearance should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44210059947.