Thomas Jones: Body found in River Severn at Worcester in search for missing university student

Teenager's family informed though formal identification yet to take place

Police officers searching for a missing university student have found a body in the River Severn at Worcester.

Thomas Jones, 18, disappeared nine days ago on 19 September.

Announcing the discovery in a tweet on Friday evening, the force said that while formal identification had yet to take place, Mr Jones’ family had been told.

Thomas Jones was last seen close to the river at Worcester Racecourse (SWNS)

Hundreds of volunteers have helped in the search for the teenager, police said.

He was thought to have crossed the Sabrina footbridge before walking on to the footpath along the top of the flood defences on Hylton Road towards Hallow just before 3.50am.

Police confirmed the body had been found in the river near Browns restaurant at the Quay in the city centre.

Two men who were previously arrested on suspicion of murder were released without charge on Tuesday.

West Mercia Police‘s Twitter account posted: “Thomas’ next of kin have been informed but as formal identification has not yet taken place, no further details can be released at this time.”

Mr Jones was due to begin a primary education course at the University of Worcester.

Earlier this week his mother, Vicki Jones, said her family was “caught between trying to keep a sense of normality and the reality”.

Additional reporting by agencies