BODY FOUND IN THE RIVER MEDINA IN SEARCH FOR MISSING 49-YEAR-OLD MAN

The body of a man has been found in the River Medina in the search for missing 49-year-old Richard Chase, it has been confirmed.

Police made the discovery at Newport Quay, close to the Premier Inn hotel where Mr Chase was staying, at around 20:30 tonight (Sunday).

A cordon was established in the area as Police and HM Coastguard worked to recover the body. A Police RIB from the mainland was drafted in to assist the recovery operation.

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Mr Chase was last seen leaving Fever nightclub during the early hours of Saturday morning. He failed to pick up his daughter at 14:00 that afternoon, prompting a missing person report to be filed.

Hampshire Constabulary started making enquiries and began a search in a bid to locate Mr Chase, who is understood to have been walking back towards the Premier Inn hotel. The search became focused on the Seaclose Park area on Sunday morning with WightSAR volunteers called in.

Although formal identification is yet to take place Hampshire Constabulary says the family of Mr Chase have been informed of the discovery.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary has tonight said:

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“Officers searching for missing 49-year-old Richard Chase have found a body.

“Formal identification has not yet taken place, but his family have been informed and are being supported by officers.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file shall be prepared for the coroner.”