A BODY has been recovered from the sea off the coast of Llandudno as part of the search for missing 16-year-old Athrun, who vanished while on a family holiday in North Wales.
North Wales Police confirmed the discovery was made on Wednesday evening (14 May) during coordinated search efforts involving multiple agencies. Formal identification is yet to take place, but Athrun’s family has been informed and is being supported by specially trained officers.
A police spokesperson said: “A body has been recovered this evening during searches for missing 16-year-old Athrun. Multi-agency searches resumed this evening, Wednesday May 14th, in the West Shore area of Llandudno following sighting of a body on Tuesday evening.
“Searches conducted by the police underwater search team, NPAS and coastguard resulted in a body being recovered today at 6.20pm. Formal identification is yet to take place, but Athrun’s family have been informed and are being supported by officers. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and the coroner has been informed.”
Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan expressed his sympathies, saying: “My deepest condolences remain with Athrun’s family, and I would ask for their privacy to be respected at this incredibly sad and difficult time.
“This is not the outcome anyone hoped for, and I would once again like to thank partner agencies and members of the public for their overwhelming support and tireless assistance with the searches over the last five days.”
Athrun, from the South Gloucestershire area, was last seen near the boating lake and playpark in Llandudno on Saturday, 10 May. He was wearing blue and white patterned swim shorts at the time of his disappearance.
His disappearance prompted an intensive land, sea, and air search led by specialist teams from various emergency services. On Tuesday evening, police reported a possible sighting of a body in the water off Llandudno, which led to the resumption of targeted searches in the area on Wednesday.
The coroner has been informed and proceedings will now follow in due course.
