Husband's agony over missing wife
A distraught husband is desperate for clues to the whereabouts of his wife of 40 years after she vanished just weeks before the couple were due to go to America to visit their grandchildren.
Post office assistant Christine Fletcher, aged 57, was last seen by her husband David, 59, leaving for work on Tuesday.
A police investigation has been launched and officers say they are concerned for her welfare and say her disappearance is "out of character".
Retired Mr Fletcher was in tears when he told the Express & Star how he kissed his wife before she left for her part-time job at nearby Granville Drive post office.
He said: "There was nothing to suggest anything was wrong, she had laid things ready for lunch and we kissed goodbye before she left.
"Life is good for us, we are very happy and we do everything together, I just can't make sense of it all. If there were any problems Christine would have told me. She is devoted to her family and would never just walk out on them and not get in touch. We are both looking forward to going to America to see our grandson.
"Christine enjoys her job and she would never let them down by not showing up, something must have happened to her. I'm desperate for any information and hope people will come forward."
Mrs Fletcher's grey metallic Ford Escort was found near a car park at Clent Hills on Wednesday evening. Mr Fletcher stayed there all night in case his wife returned and was out searching until nightfall yesterday. The couple, from Austrey Road, Kingswinford, celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary in July.
They have five grandchildren and each year they go to America to see some of them. They were planning to make the trip on October 18 to visit grandson Clay Fletcher who will be four in November.
Christine is described as around 5ft 2in tall, of medium build, with short grey wavy hair and blue eyes. She wears glasses and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt.
Anyone with information is urged to call Stourbridge police station on 0845 113 5000.
Neighbour Bev Massey, aged 45, said: "I often have long chats with Christine, she is a really nice lady and this is so out of character."
Granville Drive post office owners, who did not want to be named, said she has worked there for seven years and is "very reliable".
