The musician’s car was found in February 1995 near the Severn Bridge linking England and Wales, according to Reuters.

Despite alleged Edwards sightings, it was widely believed his disappearance was a suicide.

David Ellis, the lawyer for the Edwards family, said the musician’s parents requested a court order to change his legal status after “an acceptance that his affairs have got to be sorted,” according to the Western Mail at Welsh news site www.walesonline.co.uk. “That’s not the same as an acceptance that he is dead.”

A missing person can be declared legally dead after seven years.

In early November the other members of the Manic Street Preachers announced on their Web site they were making a new record featuring lyrics left behind by Edwards.

“Finally it feels like the right time to use them.”

Edwards’ estate is worth close to £380,000 deducting death duties, according to British media reports.