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The partner of a missing British hiker in the Pyrenees has criticized “deeply disturbing” claims that he purposely disappeared in search of a new life.
Esther Dingley, 37 years old, disappeared from Port de la Glere in late November while on a solo walk across the Franco-Spanish border.
He had been traveling Europe in a motorhome with his partner Dan Colegate since 2014, and the couple undertook separate final trips before they returned to the UK.
Ms. Dingley had been traveling since 2014. Photo: LBT Global
Colegate, her partner of 19 years, said it’s “completely out of place” for her to be out of touch for so long.
Dismissing claims that the couple were unhappy, he said they “communicated several times a day,” adding that he found any reports “puzzling.”
“Our last conversation was totally loving and all smiles. She was very happy and we were excited to see each other,” he said in a statement through the LBT Global charity, formally the Lucie Blackman Trust.
He stated that the couple had always planned to do the final leg of their travels separately.
“This summer we took a 1,000-mile hike together and we always planned to spend two weeks doing our own thing. We knew it was good for us as individuals and for our relationship.”
Still recovering from a serious illness, Mr. Colegate said he wanted “to relax in a house because of my health problems”, while his partner “wanted to do more outside.”
Her mother Rita added that she is an “open book” and was happy before disappearing.
After he revealed that the police are investigating “options beyond a mountain accident”Colegate stressed that he is “cooperating fully” with them and has been interviewed by the French and Spanish authorities.
Mrs. Dingley was traveling alone in the Pyrenees. Stock Image
LBT Global CEO Matthew Searle MBE urged people not to speculate and instead to contact the police with any relevant information.
“There is great interest in this case and we have received hundreds of inquiries,” he said.
“Our priority is to support Esther’s loved ones during this traumatic time and it is clear that they are deeply upset by some of the speculation. Making assumptions and spreading unconfirmed assumptions is futile and unfair.”
It is believed that Martí Vigo del Arco is the last person to see Esther Dingley alive
Ms. Dingley’s partner said he last spoke to her on November 22.
That day, the Spanish Olympic skier Martí Vigo del Arco vindicates saw her climbing a mountain around 3pm, which is the last known sighting of her.
She told Sky News that it was unusual to start walking at this time of day, but conditions were good and she seemed prepared.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office says it is helping Ms Dingley’s family.
