Human remains identified as man missing since 2020

Human remains found by the A617 in Nottinghamshire have been identified as a man who was reported missing more than six years ago.

Michael Dennington, who was born in June 1961, was last seen at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, on 26 May 2020.

A public appeal for information was issued shortly afterwards, with police enlisting the help of drone teams and divers.

Nottinghamshire Police said DNA testing had identified human remains found on a central reservation on the Rainworth Bypass on 23 May to belong to Dennington.

A cordon was in place for a number of days after the discovery was made by a member of the public, with specialist anthropologists, detectives and police search teams working at the site.

The force said detectives were continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dennington's death and waiting for the final post-mortem examination findings.

His family have been informed and a file has been prepared for the coroner, police added.

Det Stuart Barson said: "These types of investigations are complex, and we needed to ensure the results of DNA testing were conclusive before releasing information about the deceased.

"We are now in a position to release these details. An investigation is still under way surrounding the circumstances of this death, and we are currently waiting for the final post-mortem reports.

"We are working closely with the family who are being updated on any developments and offered support."

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