His disappearance back in 1995 was one of the biggest stories in British rock ‘n roll, and now former Manic Street Preachers guitarist and songwriter Richey Edwards has been officially declared ‘presumed dead’.

The then-27-year-old, who’s credited with most of the words on the Welsh outfit’s early records The Holy Bible and Everything Must Go, was last sighted 13 years ago, his car found abandoned near the Severn Bridge linking England and Wales.

Despite there being claims of several sightings over the years, Edwards’ parents have finally agreed to have their son declared officially deceased, which would allow them to settle his AUS$887,000 estate.

Family lawyer David Ellis says the Edwards family had had a change of heart, which reflected “an acceptance that his affairs have got to be sorted.”

Meanwhile the Manic Street Preachers are readying their ninth studio LP, tentatively titled Journal For Plague Lovers, which will contain some of Edward’s lyrics. “Finally it feels like the right time to use them,” say the band.