Investigation launched after body discovered in English Channel

An investigation is underway to identify a body which was found in the English Channel last month.

The body was found around 46 miles off the coast of Salcombe, Devon, before being brought to Southampton by a vessel on September 23rd.

At the time of the discovery the person was wearing a SCCO full black wetsuit, with Slinx shoes and gloves.

Police believe, following a post mortem, that the person is white and aged between 20 and 40 years old. They are around 5ft 9ins tall, with size 9 feet and dark hair on their legs and arms.

The death is not currently being treated as suspicious, however it is unexplained.

DI Howard Broadribb said: “We are working hard to understand who this person is and the exact circumstances of their death.

“I am sure that this person will have family and friends who have been extremely upset by their disappearance, and it is important to us to be able to locate them.

“The body was recovered by a vessel around 46 miles off the coast of Salcombe, Devon, in the English Channel.

“The person was wearing a black ZCCO wetsuit with a diagonal zip across the chest, black divers gloves marked with the name Slinx, and black divers socks and rubber-soled shoes, also marked Slinx.

“We are keeping an open mind as to where this person could be from, including being from a European country.

"We know from our initial enquiries that this is not one of the divers who had gone diving at HMS Scylla off the coast of Cornwall around one month ago.

“If a friend or family member, who was a keen diver or water sport enthusiast, is missing, then we want to hear from you as we continue our investigation.