Body found in search for missing student, 21, who vanished from pub after cops scour river
Police have found a body in the search for a 21-year-old student who disappeared from a pub last month.
Sebastian Sailes, 21, vanished after leaving the Black Horse Pub in Chippenham at around 11.30pm on February 27. He was last seen on CCTV on nearby street Lovers Walk, where officers believed he had continued south towards his home address in Notton. Wiltshire Police said in an update that divers searching for Sebastian had recovered a body on Tuesday afternoon.
“This development will of course be devastating for Sebastian’s family,” Wiltshire Police Superintendent James Brain said. “I would like to offer my sincere condolences, and I know that everyone involved in supporting this operation will also be thinking of Sebastian’s family. We will continue to offer our support over the coming days. I would ask that their privacy is respected.”
Sebastian’s devastated family previously said: “We are a very close family and are all extremely anxious and praying for the safe return of our much-loved son Sebastian. We are unbelievably grateful for the efforts of the police and all the amazing volunteers. The public support has been heart-warming, and we appeal to anyone who may have information to contact Wiltshire Police immediately, in the hope that our beautiful boy is returned to us safe and sound.”
Police were joined by volunteers from Wiltshire Search and Rescue, Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire, local businesses and support charities as they worked “tirelessly” to search for Sebastian. Search teams had previously located another body in the same area belonging to a man aged in his 70s, with police later confirming the discovery was not linked to Sebastian’s disappearance. The spokesperson added the two men are not believed to be connected, but that Sebastian’s family has been informed regardless.
Wiltshire Police recently outlined their exhaustive search efforts for Sebastian, which included deploying divers into the river and using drones overhead.
County Chief Inspector Ben Huggins commented on the ongoing search, stating: “We’re here today with further search activity for missing person Seb. We are conducting multiple, extensive enqfuiries. We have deployed a dive team into the river which remains one area of focus for us.”, reports Bristol Live.
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