Police find body in search for man who went missing on the day of his mother's funeral

04.03.2022 - 16:29 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Officers have called off the search for a Tameside man who went missing the day of his mother's funeral after a body was found yesterday.

Paul Ryan was last seen at around 9pm on Manchester Road in Denton on December 1 last year.

That was the day of his mother’s funeral — which he never attended.

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In the evening, Paul, of Mansfield Crescent in Denton, was pictured in an Asda store on Cavendish Street, Ashton.

Just after 1pm yesterday, a body was found at Audenshaw Reservoir.

The body has not yet been formally identified, but is thought to be Paul, and his family have been made aware.

A statement from Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers have called off the search for missing Paul Ryan from Tameside after a body was found yesterday (Thursday, March 3).

"An investigation was launched on December 2, 2021, when he was reported missing.

"Sadly, just after 1pm yesterday, officers were called to a report of a body found at Audenshaw Reservoir.

"The body has not yet been formally identified, but is thought to be Paul. His family are aware.

"There are believed to be no suspicious circumstances and a report is being prepared for HM Coroner."

In a press conference on February 10, DI Matt Berry, the officer who lead the search for Paul, revealed police had focused their enquiries on the Audenshaw Reservoirs.