Missing Investigative Support
Bernadette Cooper
Long-Term Missing Person
Ongoing
Metropolitan Police
Late 1992/Early 1993
The Horse and Groom public house, London
Unknown
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Date of Disappearance:
Last Sighting:
Time of Last Sighting:
Family:
Bernadette was married to Brian Cooper with a young son. In 1991, Bernadette and Brian acrimoniously divorced, and while Bernadette stayed in Spain, Brian moved back to the UK. Since her disappearance, her nephew – Leon – has pushed for her husband and son to be spoken to by police, with the belief that they were involved in her death.
Other Factors:
In late 1992, Bernadette was experiencing some financial difficulties and told friends she was returning to the UK to obtain some money and finalise her divorce. In late 1992/early 1993, Bernadette had not raised the money from family (requested around £10,000) but did tell her landlord in Spain that the money was raised, and she was on her way back. It is unknown whether she made it back to Spain.
Date of Disappearance and Activities
The specific dates in which Bernadette disappeared is largely unknown. Bernadette was a very independent woman and had infrequent contact with her family back in the UK. After making the call to her landlord in Spain, there was a period of no contact from Bernadette. Some family members visited her pub in Spain in late 1993, and discovered that her belongings were still there, but dusty and with no signs of use for a while.
After some inquiries by the family, it was discovered that the area in which Bernadette worked was mostly controlled by the Irish mob. Further, Bernadette and her husband were gassed in their apartment and had items stolen. These items were thought to be property of the mob, which the Coopers were looking after for them. The local area is still thought to be heavily guarded by the mob, and so there is a reluctance to speak to other pub owners and local residents.
Brian was heavily involved in the mob, and with his background in chemistry, he was known to be working with them to make drugs. Brian was also thought to be “protected” by the mob because he served time and did not involve anyone else in the criminal proceedings. We know that Bernadette was interacting with Brian in the days before she planned to leave for Spain. He has refused to work with the police and discuss the disappearance of his wife.
I began working with Leon early in 2021, with the work spearheaded by Leon’s tenacity and drive to find answers for his long-missing aunt.
