The week-long search for missing Lee Butler has concluded after a body was discovered at a Welsh seaside resort. Police have confirmed the recovery of a body in the Ogmore by Sea area of South Wales, believed to be that of the 36-year-old from Staffordshire.
Search Discontinued After Body Located
Lee Butler was last seen at his home in Staffordshire on Tuesday, 26 May. Concerned loved ones reported him missing, prompting a police search that extended to the South Wales coast. Officers have now located a body, and while formal identification is pending, Lee's next of kin have been informed.
A South Wales Police spokesperson stated: "A body has been found in the search for Lee Butler, from Staffordshire, who was last seen on Tuesday, May 26. While formal identification has not yet taken place, Lee's next of kin have been informed. Our thoughts are with them."
Heartfelt Tribute from Family
In an emotional Facebook post, Lee's mother Sharon wrote: "There are no words to describe the heartbreak of losing you. As your mother, I loved you from the moment you came into this world, and I will love you for every moment after you've gone. Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever my son."
Ogmore-by-Sea Beach, located approximately 40 minutes from Cardiff, became the focal point of the search efforts.
Campaign for Missing Persons
The Mirror's Missed campaign, launched on Mother's Day, 30 March 2025, calls for improved support for the 170,000 people who go missing annually in the UK, including 75,000 children. In partnership with the charity Missing People, the campaign aims to raise awareness and bring individuals home or to safety.
Since its launch, the campaign has highlighted numerous missing person cases. The Mirror has also developed an interactive map that allows users to report sightings confidentially and share information on social media. Users can zoom into specific areas to view details of missing individuals, including photos, names, ages, and duration of absence.
With someone going missing every 90 seconds in the UK, the campaign urges the government to publish a new strategy for missing children and adults, ensuring police, health, and social care services collaborate effectively. It calls for investment in prevention for those most at risk and support for every missing child and adult upon their return.
