Gianni Sonvico: Body found in search for barrister

(Police handout )

Police searching for a young barrister who from Pembrokeshire disappeared on Friday have found a body.

It is thought Gianni Sonvico, 23, may have fallen into the Thames, near the Tower Hill area of London, at around 11pm on Friday, 25 October.

Met police were called to reports of a body in water at Greenwich Pier at approximately 10am today. Mr Sonvico's family have been informed.

The keen Arsenal supporter, who lives near the club's Emirates Stadium in Highbury, north London, was last seen after attending a function at the Middle Temple.

He was called to the bar in summer to work as a research assistant for the Law Commission in London, according to the BBC.

About 2,000 people have joined a Facebook group appealing for information following Mr Sonvico's disappearance. A Twitter

His sister Maya Sonvico, 20, also posted an appeal for help finding him on YouTube.

His mother, Karen Chandler, said: "He is my son, my world, my fellow Arsenal supporter, the person I argue with about politics and the only person in the world that can call me out. Please help bring him back to me."

His sister added: "He has always been the first person to protect me from anything that can hurt me or anyone who can hurt me. What worries me is that I know if he could contact me he would. He wouldn't put us through this."

Another post added: "For Gianni to miss an Arsenal match is like him missing Christmas."

The researcher for the Law Commission grew up in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and was described as a "brilliant" student by his former headteacher.

Master David Ormerod, of the Law Commission, said: "Police have now confirmed that CCTV footage shows Gianni in the Tower Hill area.

"The evidence is currently pointing to there being no foul play, but possibly a tragic accident. The police are very keen to speak to anyone who was at the Middle Temple Party on Friday night (October 25) or in the Tower Hill area around 10.15 on Friday."

Additional reporting by Press Association