A body has been discovered in the sea off the Cornish coast during the search for the missing partner of Sir Mick Jagger's granddaughter. The tragic find brings a sorrowful conclusion to a multi-day search operation that involved police and coastguard teams.
Discovery and Identification
Emergency services were called to Bude at approximately 6:30pm yesterday evening after reports of a body in the water. Despite immediate efforts, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. Formal identification procedures have now confirmed the individual as 37-year-old Alexander Key, who had been reported missing from the Boscastle area on 24th January.
Devon and Cornwall Police have stated that Mr. Key's death is not currently being treated as suspicious. A comprehensive file is being prepared for the coroner's office to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
Alexander Key's Background
Mr. Key was a respected chef and father of two young daughters, aged 11 and six. He lived in Cornwall with his partner, 33-year-old Assisi Jackson, who happens to be the eldest grandchild of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. The couple shared a life together in the picturesque coastal region, raising their family while Mr. Key pursued his culinary career.
Professionally, Alexander Key was a co-owner of The Rocket Store, a well-regarded seafood restaurant in Boscastle that he operated alongside head chef Freddie Woodruff. The establishment was known for its commitment to locally sourced ingredients, including fish caught daily by Mr. Key's father and meat supplied from the family farm.
Final Movements and Search Efforts
The last confirmed sighting of Mr. Key occurred on Friday, 24th January, at the Cobweb Inn pub in Boscastle, where he was observed sitting alone wearing distinctive clothing including a black hooded top beneath a red stripy jumper. Subsequent CCTV footage captured him leaving the establishment approximately one hour later.
Further surveillance images from Saturday showed Mr. Key walking past the Wellington Pub on Old Road at 3:25pm, heading toward Boscastle Harbour and the River Valency. He was still wearing the recognizable red top, now accompanied by a blue anorak or waterproof jacket and black trainers.
Challenging Search Conditions
Search operations faced significant difficulties due to severe weather conditions that battered the Cornish coast. The area experienced Storm Ingrid on Friday and Saturday, followed by Storm Chandra earlier in the week, creating dangerous sea conditions and hampering rescue efforts.
Police had expressed increasing concern for Mr. Key's welfare after he was reported missing on Saturday evening, prompting an urgent search operation. The Cobweb Inn pub had appealed for information at the time, emphasizing that "his family are so worried."
Family Connections and Appeals
Assisi Jackson, Mr. Key's partner, is the daughter of jewellery designer Jade Jagger and artist Piers Jackson. Her mother, Jade Jagger, actively supported the search by sharing police appeals on social media, posting images of Mr. Key on Instagram in hopes of locating him.
Notably, Jade Jagger experienced a unique family circumstance in 2014 when she gave birth to her son, Ray Emmanuel Fillary, just weeks after her granddaughter (Assisi's first child) was born, making her both a mother and grandmother within a remarkably short timeframe.
Restaurant Connection
The Rocket Store restaurant, which Mr. Key co-owned, features a personal artistic touch from his partner's family - a large painting of a star constellation created by Assisi's father, Piers Jackson. This detail underscores the deep personal and professional connections the couple maintained within their Cornish community.
Community Impact and Privacy Request
Boscastle, known for its dramatic harbour and cliff-top walks, attracts visitors throughout the year but presents particular dangers during winter months when rough seas and unpredictable weather create hazardous conditions along the coastline.
Mr. Key's family have expressed gratitude to Devon and Cornwall Police, HM Coastguard, and all those who assisted in the search efforts. They have respectfully requested privacy during this profoundly difficult time as they come to terms with their loss.
Prior to the discovery, police had urged anyone with information about Mr. Key's whereabouts to contact them immediately, referencing log number 847 of 24/1/26. The search has now concluded with this tragic outcome.
