Body found in search for missing teenager

Police searching for a missing teenager say they believe they have found a body.

Taylor Charlton, 15, from Barnstaple, Devon, was last seen on the night of 8 May in the town.

Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement that "suspected human remains were seen in the water" on the River Taw near Sticklepath at 16:20 BST on Wednesday.

A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder after the teenager went missing was released on bail earlier this month.

The force said emergency services recovered the remains from the water.

"Formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of 15-year-old Taylor Charlton have been informed of this development," Insp Andy Wills said.

"They are being supported by specialist officers and we ask that their privacy is respected at this time."

He said "this is not the outcome anybody hoped for" and that "formal identification results could take a "number of weeks".

Will said: "Our thoughts remain with Taylor's family during this incredibly difficult and distressing time.

"We know how difficult this will be for the local community who have shown tremendous support throughout the search."

He asked the public to avoid speculation and await updates from police in due course.

Wills added: "Targeted searches remain ongoing around the River Tor and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding Taylor's disappearance is ongoing and we will continue to establish the full facts."

He said it had been a "significant search operation" and estimated about 100 officers had been involved in the investigation.

The inspector said the search area had been "extremely challenging" with "dive teams, sonar-equipped boats, air and water-based search resources as well as land-based search resources" involved.

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