Body found in search for missing Brian Fletcher

A body has been found in the search for missing man Brian Fletcher, police have said.

Brian Fletcher, 80, had been missing since Saturday, 22 March, after he travelled from his home in Bury to Tockholes. Police said he visited the area regularly and was a keen bird watcher.

A multi-agency search had taken place across several weeks to find Brian, although police confirmed last week they had stood down search efforts.

But yesterday morning (18 April), the body of a man was discovered in a remote area of moorland a few miles west of the A675 at Roddlesworth.

A spokesperson for police said: “While formal identification has not yet taken place, we believe it to be Brian.

“The sad news has been delivered to Brian’s family and our thoughts are with them at this time. While this is not the outcome anybody would have wanted, we at least hope that this can bring them some sense of closure.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be passed to HM Coroner in due course.

“We would just like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who shared our appeals and all of the partner organisations who assisted with our search, and we again pass on our heartfelt condolences to Brian’s family.”

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