Body found in hunt for missing Kieran

Police officers searching for missing Kieran ‘Lally’ McColl recovered a body from the canal between Westbridge Park and the canal bridge at Simeon Way in Stone this morning (13th May).

Police posted this on their Facebook page this afternoon…

“The man, who was found at around 11am today (Tuesday 13 May) is believed to be Kieran although formal identification has not yet taken place. Kieran, aged 21, was reported missing on Friday 9 May after he was last seen when he was dropped off by a friend in Trent Close, Stone, at around 10.30pm on Thursday.

We have carried out numerous inquiries to locate Kieran and during our ongoing search, with assistance from colleagues from Nottinghamshire Police’s underwater search team, we can confirm that a man’s body matching Kieran’s description was found in the canal. Kieran’s family have been informed and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time.

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 We’d like to thank everyone who has helped with our search, including those who shared our appeal and the local residents who have assisted with the search. Kieran’s death is being treated as unexplained and a report will be prepared for Her Majesty’s Coroner.”

The 21-year-old, who had epilepsy and needed regular medication, had not been seen since being dropped off by a friend in Trent Close at around 10.30pm on Thursday. CCTV and witnesses had confirmed that he was on his own and walked from Trent Close on to Westbridge Park, past the leisure centre car park on his left and in the direction of his home address in Thomas Avenue.

Staffordshire Police officers, including specialist search teams and supported by the police helicopter, Staffordshire Search and Rescue and the fire service carried out searches in Stone and around the Trent and Mersey Canal in a bid to find Lally. Friends and family carried out their own search from Westbridge Park on Monday evening, with dozens of people turning out to help. Police had renewed their appeal for information yesterday too, with thousands of people sharing updates and appeals for help on Twitter, Facebook and other social networks.