Police have issued an update in their search for Sebastian Sailes, 21, who was last seen walking along Lovers Walk in Chippenham at around 11.30pm on Thursday, February 27 after leaving the Black Horse Pub
In a tragic turn of events, police divers scouring the River Avon near Chippenham in the search for 21 year old Sebastian Sailes have discovered a body. The family of the missing Bristol UWE student has been notified about this heart-wrenching find, with formal identification set to follow.
Sebastian was last spotted on CCTV strolling down Lovers Walk in Chippenham around 11.30pm on Thursday, February 27, after exiting the Black Horse Pub. It’s believed he was making his way south on Avon Valley Walk towards his residence in Notton when he vanished.
The search for Sebastian has seen Wiltshire Police join forces with volunteers from Wiltshire Search and Rescue, Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire, specialist teams from other constabularies, local businesses, and support charities, all united in their efforts to find him.
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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.
Wiltshire Police investigators discovered the body of a man “aged in his 70s” in the River Avon on March 3 while officers carried out their search for missing Sebastian Sailes. Officers confirmed in a statement last week that 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.”
They continued: ““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.”
Following the discovery lof the elderly man’s body last week, police set up a cordon around the older man’s body, which has since been lifted.
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