Luke Durbin

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

suffolk-constabulary

Missing From:

Ipswich, Suffolk

Summary:

Luke Durbin disappeared during the early hours of Friday 12 May 2006 from Ipswich, Suffolk, and was reported missing by his mother on Saturday 13 May 2006. He was 19 years old at the time. Following a review in 2010, the Suffolk Police relaunched Durbin's case as a murder inquiry, referring the case to their Major Investigations Team (MIT). No trace of Luke has been found.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Disappearance:

Durbin's friend Alex, a chef in London, had returned for the weekend to see friends and family, prompting Durbin to take time off work alongside another friend, Zach. Durbin rode his new motorbike to Alex's place in Woodbridge, planning to spend the night. At Alex's home he left his motorbike, as well as his wallet, keys, phone and a change of clothes. Durbin wore a black/grey long-sleeved collared shirt under a reversible plum-grey sweatshirt, alongside faded denim jeans with a motif on the side thigh, and brown suede shoes. After some drinks at a local pub, Durbin, Alex and Zach then took a cab from Woodbridge to Ipswich to go clubbing at Zest nightclub, although Alex took a taxi back shortly after having too much to drink. After some hours at Zest nightclub, Durbin lost contact with Zach after the latter went to purchase drinks. Durbin was reported at Ipswich train station, a 5-minute walk from Zest nightclub, at around 02:00-03:00 AM BST. After being told no trains were running, Durbin is next spotted on CCTV at around 03:45 AM BST heading to Hawk Express Cabs. Having left his wallet at Alex's place, the receptionist suggested Durbin call his mother for her bank card details. He refused, stating he did not wish to wake her. Durbin is then spotted on CCTV walking across the zebra crossing on Dogs Head Street, headed towards the bus station, at 04:00 AM. This is the last positive sighting of Durbin. Shortly after, a silver or white Volvo 440 is caught on CCTV with registration 'M206 LYE', later discovered to be false plates. The vehicle is of primary interest to investigators.

Additional Details:

His family stated his disappearance was uncharacteristic, having always been communicative over his whereabouts. According to investigators, after Durbin's shift concluded at the greengrocer, he went on to finalise a drug deal in Woodbridge, before meeting up with Alex and Zach on the night he disappeared. In April 2020, a Channel 5 documentary explored Durbin's drug dealing history and his ties to gangs in Brixton, London. The documentary speculated that Durbin owed money to dealers within his network. In 2012 police made two arrests – one on suspicion of murder, the other on suspicion of being concerned in the murder of Luke Durbin – however both men faced no further action. In August 2011, a 29-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were arrested for identity fraud after using Luke Durbin's details to make online purchases in August 2007. In March 2008, Durbin's mother - alongside Valerie Nettles, mother of missing teen Damien Nettles - organised a 'March for the Missing' event. The event intended to raise awareness over the scale of how many go missing every year in the United Kingdom, in addition to appealing to the government to provide financial support to the Missing People charity. Despite media appeals, poster campaigns, a group walk to retrace Luke's steps, and numerous television appearances, including on Crimewatch in 2013, the mystery remained unsolved. In subsequent years, Luke Durbin's mother, Nicki Durbin, has tirelessly continued her efforts to find her son and taken a job working on the Missing People helpline to help others in similar situations. She also operates a Twitter account and an email address highlighting the case and keeps alive the hope of one day solving what the Ipswich Star terms: "One of Suffolk's most enduring mysteries." A reward of up to £20,000, facilitated via the independent charity Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Luke's disappearance and murder, remains in place. The reward has been co-funded by Luke's mum Nicki, Crimestoppers, the East Anglia Daily Times/Ipswich Star and Suffolk Police.

Case Last Updated:

May 11, 2026