Police have issued a statement
Tom Dingle(Image: Lancashire Police)
The body of a 19-year-old missing student was tragically found on Christmas Day following an extensive search, police have confirmed. Tom Dingle had been missing since the early hours of December 13.
In a statement issued on Boxing Day (December 26), Lancashire Constabulary said a body believed to be that of Tom was found in woodland by a member of the public out walking on Christmas Day.
His family has been informed. The death is not being treated as suspicious, a force spokesperson added.
CCTV footage had been released by police showing Tom’s last known movements in Appley Bridge. Having left Stonemill Rise at 12.30am, a clip shows Tom walking along Mill Lane.
In a statement, Lancashire Police said: “We have a tragic update to give you in our search for missing student Tom Dingle.
Police have issued a statement(Image: Copyright Unknown)
“At 3.12pm on Christmas Day we were contacted by a member of the public who had found a man deceased in woodland off Lees Lane in Dalton.
“Although no formal identification has taken place, we believe it to be the body of 19-year-old Tom. Tom’s family have been informed, and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers. Our thoughts are very much with them at this extremely distressing time. We would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with this devastating news.
“Tom’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to HM Coroner in due course.
“This is not the outcome anybody wanted. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank everybody who shared our appeals for information.”
No further details have been revealed.