Inquest opened into death of missing teenager found in Severn Estuary

An inquest has been opened into the death of an 18-year-old man after his body was found in the Severn Estuary.

George Charles Spencer, 18, from Walton-in-Gordano, near Clevedon, was found at the mouth of the River Usk in Newport on September 27. Major searches had been ongoing for 10 days after he was reported missing from Portishead.

Body found in River Usk

Police and paramedics were called to the banks of the river where Mr Spencer was pronounced dead.

Gwent Coroner's Court heard on Monday that a post mortem examination revealed that Mr Spencer's provisional cause of death was drowning.

Further enquiries planned

Further enquiries are to be carried out to establish why he was found in the Severn Estuary and whether or not he intentionally entered the water.

Senior Coroner Caroline Saunders said there is no evidence of third-party involvement.

Police statement on discovery

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement on the day Mr Spencer's body was found: "Over the course of recent days we have been appealing for information around the whereabouts of missing 18-year-old George and we can confirm a body was found earlier today (Sunday, September 27).

"We were informed that a body had been recovered from water at a coastal location near Newport. The items of clothing worn by the man matched those George had last been seen wearing in Portishead on Thursday 17 September.

"As a matter of routine, a formal identification process will need to be undertaken, however we have informed George’s family of this latest development and are continuing to provide them with support through a specially-trained officer.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and will be a matter for the coroner going forward.

"While George’s family have been touched by all the offers of support they have received recently, quite understandably they are requesting their privacy is respected at this time.

"Finally, we would like to thank everyone who called in with information and shared our appeals, as well as Gwent Police and the RNLI for their involvement today."