No it's, fact... It's been discussed at length before... There, are, several children have in the uk who have been missing for many years.. The, courts, don't and can't just declare them deceased..
What you are, talking about is, a certificate of presumption of death
This article explains the purpose "
https://www.winstonsolicitors.co.uk/legal-news/presumption-death-act.html"
"The Presumption of Death Act 2013 now provides a solution by allowing families to apply to the High Court for a Certificate of Presumption of Death. This performs the same function as an ordinary death certificate, particularly in areas such as:
Allowing the missing person’s estate to be distributed in accordance with their will or the laws of intestacy
Allowing the dissolution their marriage or Civil Partnership so that their spouse can move on with their life
Finalising the person’s entitlement to any State benefits and settling any overpayments etc from the estate.
The declaration will be made if the Court is satisfied that the person has died or has not been known to be alive for a period of at least seven years.
There is a period after the Order has been made during which an appeal can be lodged, but if no such appeal is lodged, the “deceased’s” details will be entered in a new Register of Presumed Deaths"
Looking at the actual legislation "any person can apply"
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/13/section/1/enacted"1Applying for declaration
(1)This section applies where a person who is missing—
(a)is thought to have died, or
(b)has not been known to be alive for a period of at least 7 years.
(2)Any person may apply to the High Court for a declaration that the missing person is presumed to be dead.(3)The court has jurisdiction to hear and determine an application under this section only if—
(a)the missing person was domiciled in England and Wales on the day on which he or she was last known to be alive,
(b)the missing person had been habitually resident in England and Wales throughout the period of 1 year ending with that day, or
(c)subsection (4) is satisfied.
(4)This subsection is satisfied if the application is made by the spouse or civil partner of the missing person and—
(a)the applicant is domiciled in England and Wales on the day on which the application is made, or
(b)the applicant has been habitually resident in England and Wales throughout the period of 1 year ending with that day.
(5)The court must refuse to hear an application under this section if—
(a)the application is made by someone other than the missing person’s spouse, civil partner, parent, child or sibling, and
(b)the court considers that the applicant does not have a sufficient interest in the determination of the application.
(6)This section has effect subject to section 21(2)."
