Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter

Richard and Julia Lyn, missing from their home in Battersea, Manchester. - Contributed

It was day ten yesterday, in the search for missing Mandeville couple Richard and Julia Lyn. Nine days of agony for their children and their many friends in Mandeville who have not been able to rest easily since the two were reportedly abducted from their home in the upscale community of Battersea, near Ingleside, on the evening of December 9.

The disappearance of Mr. Lyn, 75, and his 71-year-old wife has shaken the quiet community and left the residents fearful.

Who is next?

"Who could it happen to next? There was a time when we didn't think about those things around here. It seemed we were all safe. Now we have to think differently," said a resident of Ingleside, an adjoining community. She didn't wish to be named, but said she often spoke with the Lyns and has been overcome with worry since she heard they were missing.

"I hate to even think about it. All I do is fret and hope that they are found alive," she said.

The Lyns' home at 14 Battersea Avenue attracts many visitors, who go there to pray for the couple's safe return. Several yellow ribbons have been attached to the fence by neighbours and family members have placed red flowers on the verandah. Yesterday, the community was extremely quiet with hardly anyone in sight. The only sound was that of the ribbons fluttering in the wind and a few birds were singing in the distance.

About 11 o'clock, a black SUV drove up to the house. It was the Lyns' son who now lives abroad but flew home to Jamaica when he got the bad news. He has been here for about a week and his face showed signs of exhaustion and worry. He choked up as he explained that he had still heard no news of his parents' whereabouts and then pulled the door to the house and went inside without saying another word.

In the heart of the business district in Mandeville, a sign was posted on the Lyns' business place: 'Closed until further notice.' People in the area commented that the situation was sad and pronounced their own wishes for the couple's safe return.

Even though the police have taken two men into custody, who they say are suspects in the disappearance, there still has been no news of what happened to the Lyns.

A $1 million reward has been posted for information leading to the whereabouts of the couple. The money has been put up by the children of the Lyns and is being administered through Crime Stop. If you have any information you may call 311.

The Lyns' home at Battersea, Manchester, where neighbours have attached ribbons as they await news of the couple's whereabouts. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer