BRITISH DAD, 65, VANISHES IN FRANCE AFTER LOSING CONTACT WITH HIS FAMILY

A 65-year-old British father has disappeared while travelling through France, leaving his family “extremely concerned” after he suddenly stopped contacting them.

Andrew Shirlaw, known to his family and friends as Andy, was last known to be in Paris on September 22, 2026. His relatives say the loss of contact is completely out of character for him and have launched an urgent appeal for information.

LAST KNOWN TO BE IN PARIS

Andrew had been travelling through France and was believed to be planning a journey south.

According to his family, he was expected to travel through or toward Bordeaux and La Rochelle before eventually finishing his trip in Toulouse.

But contact was lost on Tuesday, September 22.

His daughter, Gabriella Payne, said the family became increasingly worried because Andy had always maintained contact with them.

“Our dad, Andrew Shirlaw, Andy, has been missing since Tuesday September 22,” she said in an appeal shared after his disappearance.

“We are extremely concerned because it is completely out of character for Andy not to maintain contact with us.”

Friends who had seen Andy in Paris were also reportedly concerned about him before the family lost contact.

FAMILY RELEASES DESCRIPTION

Andrew is described as approximately 6ft tall with a slim build.

His family say he commonly wears clear glasses and sometimes a hearing aid. He is also known for wearing distinctive patterned shirts, shorts and sandals.

He is British but speaks fluent French with an English accent.

His family describe him as very talkative and outgoing, saying he is the type of person who can easily strike up conversations with strangers.

That makes his sudden disappearance particularly worrying to those who know him.

“WE JUST WANT TO KNOW THAT HE IS SAFE”

Gabriella has urged anyone who may have crossed paths with her father to come forward, even if they only spoke to him briefly.

The family is particularly asking people who have travelled with him, spoken to him or seen him anywhere in France to contact them or the local police.

“Even if you’re not in France, please share this post — particularly with anyone you know in Paris, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Toulouse or elsewhere in France,” Gabriella said.

“We just want to know that he is safe.”

The family has not publicly suggested a specific explanation for his disappearance.

At present, the key concern is simply establishing where Andrew is and making sure he is safe.

A JOURNEY THAT HAS LEFT A FAMILY WAITING FOR ANSWERS

Andrew’s disappearance comes as his family tries to piece together his movements after he was last known to be in Paris.

The Independent reported that his intended route was expected to take him south from Paris, potentially through Bordeaux and La Rochelle, before Toulouse.

Those locations have therefore been highlighted by his family in their appeal.

French authorities classify a disappearance as potentially concerning when someone who normally maintains regular contact suddenly stops communicating without an apparent reason, particularly when the circumstances suggest the person could be in difficulty.

For Andrew’s relatives, the abrupt silence has intensified fears about what may have happened after his last known contact.

FAMILY APPEAL FOR INFORMATION

Gabriella is now asking the public to share Andrew’s details as widely as possible.

Anyone who believes they may have seen him, spoken with him or travelled alongside him is being urged to contact the relevant police authorities.

The family say they are not looking for speculation — they simply want information that could help establish Andrew’s whereabouts.

For now, the question remains unanswered:

Where is Andrew Shirlaw?

His loved ones are hoping that someone, somewhere in France, may have seen him since he was last known to be in Paris.

And above all, they want to know that the missing father is safe.