Joseph Porch had been missing since Wednesday, April 22, and was last seen on CCTV in the Scotswood House area, in Thornaby, near the River Tees in Stockton
A body has been pulled from a river in the search for a missing 19-year-old.
Joseph Porch had been missing since Wednesday, April 22, and was last seen on CCTV in the Scotswood House area of Stockton-on-Tees, in Thornaby, near the River Tees.
Cleveland Police has now confirmed that during the search his body was found in the River Tees on Wednesday morning, April 29. Formal identification has now been carried out.
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His parents said in a statement how they were “devasted” at the loss of their “beautiful son” while thanking the rescue services for their efforts to find Joseph.
“We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful son. We will forever love him and be proud of him,” they said. “Special thanks to Cleveland Police, Northumbria Police Diving Unit, Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service and Tees River Rescue in their devoted efforts to locate him.
“We’d like to thank our family and friends for their support and would now ask for some time for our family to take in this tragedy and remember our son at this difficult time.”
Cleveland Police said that the death is not being treated as suspicion and a file is being prepared for a coroner.
The force said: “Sadly, during the search for missing 19-year-old Joseph Porch (also known as Joey), his body was located this morning (Wednesday 29th April) in the River Tees in Stockton.
“Formal identification has been carried out this afternoon. Our thoughts remain with Joseph’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.”
Many people have taken to social media to express their sadness at the news. One person wrote on Facebook: “Thoughts and Prayers to the family, may he R.I.P.” Another comment read: “So so sad my heartfelt condolences to family and friends, fly high forever young beautiful boy.”
And a further person wrote: “Heartbreaking sending our Condolences to his family/ friends another young life gone far to soon Rip young man.”
