Police confirm discovery of a body as search ends for 36-year-old Evesham man last seen in Bristol two weeks ago.

 A body has been found in Gloucester during the search for Lee Horton, a 36-year-old man from Evesham, Worcestershire, who had been missing for over two weeks.

Mr Horton last contacted his family on Tuesday, 11 March, telling them he was in Bristol and planning to catch a train home. However, he never arrived, sparking a widespread police search that extended across the South West, with appeals made in Swindon, Wiltshire, and beyond.

On the evening of Tuesday, 25 March, officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary discovered a body in Gloucester. The force confirmed the find the following day, stating it had occurred as part of ongoing efforts to locate Mr Horton.

“While formal identification has not yet taken place, Lee Horton’s family has been informed of this development,” a police spokesperson said. “The circumstances of the death are not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

The discovery brings a tragic end to the family’s anxious wait for news. Police have not released details about where exactly the body was found or the condition in which it was discovered.

Lee’s disappearance had prompted significant public concern, with relatives and friends using social media to appeal for sightings and information. Community groups across the West Country also shared missing persons posts in the hope of helping reunite Lee with his family.

Local police had earlier stated that Lee’s phone last connected to mobile networks in the Bristol area, but no sightings or further communications followed. As the days passed, his family became increasingly concerned for his wellbeing.

The area where the body was discovered has not been officially disclosed, and officers have cordoned off a section of land in Gloucester while they complete their inquiries. However, they emphasised that there is no risk to the public and that the investigation remains a routine process in unexplained deaths.

News of the discovery has prompted an outpouring of condolences from local residents and those who followed Lee’s case online. Several messages of sympathy and support for the Horton family have appeared on community pages and forums.

The coroner will now oversee the next steps, including confirming the identity and establishing an official cause of death. In the meantime, Lee’s family are being supported by specialist officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary.

The police thanked members of the public who shared appeals and offered information, acknowledging the widespread support that assisted in their search.