Richey Edwards of the Manic Street Preachers presumed dead

Former Manic Street Preachers’ rhythm guitarist and lyricist Richey James Edwards has finally been declared “presumed dead” by his family, more than 13 years after his disappearance on February 1, 1995. His family have been able to declare him dead for the last six years but has refused until now and explains their reasoning with “an acceptance that his affairs have got to be sorted” while maintaining that it’s “not the same as an acceptance that he is dead”.

His former band members have only said that the matter is “hugely emotional” without adding any further information, and since his disappearance the band has continued to give Edwards 25% of band royalties, sending the money to a special fund for Edwards. As we reported earlier the Manic Street Preachers are currently recording their upcoming album which will only feature lyrics written by Edwards’ before his
disappearance. The album, currently known under the two working titles Journal For Plague Lovers and I Know I Believe In Nothing But It Is My Nothing, is due sometime during the Spring of 2009.

Via NME

– Johan A.