Human remains have been recovered from the River Taw in Devon as part of the ongoing search for missing teenager Taylor Charlton, who was last seen on the evening of May 8. Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed on Thursday that the family of the 15-year-old has been informed of the discovery.
Discovery and Police Response
Police were alerted to the River Taw near Sticklepath, Barnstaple, at approximately 4:20pm on Wednesday after suspected human remains were spotted in the water. Emergency services attended the scene and located the remains, which were subsequently removed from the river. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police stated: "Formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of 15-year-old Taylor Charlton have been informed of this development."
The spokesperson added: "They are being supported by specialist officers and we ask that their privacy is respected at this time. We understand that this update will impact the local community, and we ask the public to avoid speculating and await updates from police in due course. There will continue to be a presence around the river today as emergency services make further inquiries."
Background of the Disappearance
Taylor Charlton, a resident of Barnstaple, was 14 years old when he vanished on the night of May 8. He has since turned 15. The most recent confirmed sighting of Taylor was on CCTV near a footpath close to the Tarka leisure centre in Barnstaple, where he was captured heading towards the River Taw.
On June 12, police confirmed that a 20-year-old man had been arrested in the north Devon area on suspicion of murder in connection with Taylor's disappearance. The suspect was questioned and subsequently released on police bail until September.
Family Pleas
In earlier public appeals, Taylor's mother, Zoe, expressed her desperation for his safe return, stating: "I love you so much and I am worried sick about you." His father, Alex, described Taylor as "a loving, loyal and special lad" and expressed the family's hope to have him home again.
The investigation continues, with police maintaining a presence around the river and urging the public to refrain from speculation.
