HEARTBREAKING UPDATE… ! – POLICE SAY THEY ARE ‘EXTREMELY SADDENED’ AS MISSING TEENAGER TAYLOR CHARLTON IS FOUND DE:A-D
Police have said they are ‘extremely saddened’ to confirm that missing teenager Taylor Charlton’s body has been found.
The Devon schoolboy was last seen on the night of May 8, with CCTV placing him near the Tarka Leisure Centre and the Seven Brethren car park at 10.41pm.
An extensive search had been conducted to find him, involving the deployment of helicopters, sonar boats, and dive teams.
Within the first week, Charlton’s shoes were found roughly 480m apart on consecutive days.
Then, after 48 days, remains were recovered from the River Taw on June 24. Charlton was walking in the direction of the river in his final sighting.
In a new statement, a Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said tonight: ‘This is not the outcome that anyone hoped for, and we know how deeply this will affect the local community, who have shown tremendous support throughout the search.
The teenager’s body was found in a river following an extensive search (Picture: Devon and Cornwall Police)
‘An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Taylor’s death remains ongoing, and detectives will continue to establish the full facts.’
Charlton, from Barnstaple, was 14 at the time he disappeared but has since had a birthday.
Police were called to the River Taw near Sticklepath, Barnstaple, at 4.20pm on June 24 after human remains were seen in the water.
Initially, there was no evidence to suggest third-party involvement, but new information ultimately came to light, indicating Charlton had been ‘harmed’.
A woman in her 40s and a 20-year-old man were subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with his disappearance.
Both remain on police bail while the investigation continues.
The force has urged the public to help the investigation by avoiding speculation and by not sharing unconfirmed information online, having also previously vowed to ‘leave no stone unturned’.
Devon and Cornwall Police praised the ‘tremendous support’ of the local community with their efforts in trying to find Charlton alive (Picture: Devon & Cornwall Police)
It also asked for the privacy of the boy’s family to be respected as they ‘come to terms with this tragic news’.
His loved ones had been informed of Charlton’s identification and are being supported by specialist officers.
Anyone with information that may prove useful should contact the police.
Identification of Charlton’s body comes after his own mother, Zoe Harvey, was forced to respond after being targeted by a disturbing online message, which compared her son’s disappearance to that of Jay Slater, 19, who died in Tenerife, Spain, in 2024.
There was also speculation that the first arrest made was of Harvey herself.
Harvey then stated that she ‘had nothing to do with [her] son’s murder’ and that she was ‘absolutely desperate’ for him to return home safely.
She also liked a post reading: ‘I would like to make it absolutely clear that it was not Taylor’s grieving, heartbroken mother who was arrested today.
‘The speculation, disrespect, arrogance and harmful comments need to stop.
‘Taylor’s family and friends have lost a son, brother, grandson, nephew and best friend. Please show some decency and respect during this incredibly difficult time.’
The boy’s dad, Alex, described him as a ‘loving, loyal, and special lad’.
