Wiltshire Police said in a statement that the man in his 70s was found in the River Avon today while officers continued their search for missing Sebastian Sailes
Police have found the body of an elderly man in a chance encounter as they searched for a student who vanished from a pub.
Wiltshire Police investigators discovered the body of a man “aged in his 70s” in the River Avon today while searching for Sebastian Sailes. The 21-year-old has been missing for four days after vanishing from the Black Horse Pub in Chippenham on Thursday, and was last seen on CCTV on nearby street Lovers Walk.
Officers confirmed in a statement that, while an extensive search for Sebastian is ongoing, the man they discovered was not the main subject of the search. The spokesperson added the two men are not believed to be connected, but that Sebastian’s family has been informed regardless.
The Wiltshire Police spokesperson explained there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the older man’s death. They said: “I can confirm that the body of a man was found this morning in the River Avon. His next of kin have been made aware and our thoughts are with them.
“We understand that this development will be concerning for the public. I would like to reassure them that Sebastian’s disappearance and the discovery of this man’s body are not linked and the search for Sebastian will continue today. Sebastian’s family have been informed of this development and we are continuing to support them.”
Following the discovery earlier today, police set up a cordon around the older man’s body, which has since been lifted. They have since reissued their appeal for anyone who may have information regarding Sebastian’s disappearance to come forward. The spokesperson said he was last seen in the Chippenham/Rowden Hill area late on Thursday.
They said: “We continue to appeal for anyone who may have information on Sebastian to get in touch and for drivers and residents in the Chippenham/Rowden Hill area to check any dash-cam or Ring Doorbell footage from around 11.30pm on Thursday into the early hours of Friday morning.”
Anyone who believes they can assist the missing persons enquiry has been asked to contact the service on the police non-emergency number 101, quoting the log 141 of February 28.
