Body found in river by police searching for Dean Hill who vanished two years ago

A body has been found in the search for a 34-year-old man who disappeared nearly two years ago, police have said.

Dean Hill, from Newbury, West Berkshire, was reported missing in November 2023. On Wednesday, officers from Thames Valley Police recovered a body from the river near the Hambridge area of West Berkshire. The force said formal identification has not taken place yet, but they believe it is Dean.

His death is being treated as unexplained at this time, the police said. The force added that the coroner has been informed. Detective Inspector Stuart Streeter, said: "Sadly following calls from a member of the public, officers have recovered a body from the water, which we believe is missing man Dean.

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"Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Hill, who have been informed of the discovery. At this time the death is being treated as unexplained and the coroner has been informed."

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "Officers from Thames Valley Police yesterday (23/7) have recovered a body from the river near the Hambridge area of West Berkshire.

"Formal identification has not yet taken place but we believe that it is missing person Dean Hill, aged 34, from Newbury. Dean was reported missing in November 2023."

This week, a body was found in the search for a woman who vanished after going for a run in the middle of the night. Rachel Booth, 38, was last spotted last seen by family in the Barnton area of Northwich on Friday, before a more recent sighting some five miles away at the Sandiway garage on the A556 road. At the BP station, Rachel was seen on CCTV buying milk and wine at 3:50am after going for a jog.

Police believe she may have travelled to the Oakmere area of Delamere, and said they were becoming "increasingly concerned" for her welfare as locals reported she was seen trying to hitchhike and looking "distressed". This afternoon, Cheshire Police announced they had found a body.