Search for missing man suspended after body found

A search for a man with Asperger's syndrome has been suspended by police after a body was discovered in a waterway.

Martyn Richardson was last seen leaving a family birthday party in Bocking, near Braintree in Essex, on 24 August.

The 27-year-old's bike was found three days later in fields near the River Blackwater, his family said.

A body was found in Bocking on Saturday. Essex Police said Mr Richardson’s family has been informed, but formal identification was yet to take place.

Mr Richardson, from Braintree, was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with a long-sleeved top underneath, black shorts and black shoes.

His family previously told BBC Essex Mr Richardson was "absolutely fine when he left, there were no obvious signs of anything".

Mary Richardson, who had been her grandson's legal guardian since he moved in with her aged one, said he had intended to go home after the party.

A spokesperson from Essex Police said: "We have suspended search activity for Martyn Richardson, 27, who had been reported missing from Braintree in August.

"This follows the discovery of a man’s body in a waterway in Bocking.

"Formal identification has yet to take place, but Mr Richardson’s family have been informed and we are supporting them."

Inquiries were ongoing and police have urged against speculation.

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