Search teams have discovered a body on the beach at Withernsea in East Yorkshire, in a tragic development in the hunt for missing 15-year-old Grace Keeling.
Recovery Operation Paused Due to Dangerous Conditions
Humberside Police confirmed that the body was found among rocks on Friday, 16 January 2026. Formal identification has not yet been conducted, but Grace's family has been informed of the discovery. Officers have been unable to immediately retrieve the body due to dangerous tides and complex conditions on the coastline, forcing a pause in the recovery operation until it is safe to resume.
A Double Tragedy Unfolds
The search for Grace follows a devastating incident on 2 January. Her mother, 45-year-old Sarah Keeling from Nottinghamshire, and a 67-year-old local man, Mark Ratcliffe, both drowned after entering the water in a desperate attempt to rescue the teenager.
Police, after reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses, believe Grace was with a friend on steps near the rocks when she was swept into the water by a wave.
Community and Investigation
The incident has sent shockwaves through the coastal community of Withernsea. The loss of Sarah Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe, who heroically attempted a rescue, has compounded the tragedy. Humberside Police continue their investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the events of 2 January and the subsequent discovery.
The force has urged the public to avoid speculation and to respect the privacy of the families involved during this profoundly difficult time.
