Rugby fan's body identified

Ben Thompson's wife has paid tribute to her 'kind and loving' husband.

Police have confirmed the body found in the River Ely on Tuesday was that of the missing rugby fan.

South Wales Police have confirmed that the body found in the River Ely on Tuesday is that of 34-year-old Ben Thompson from Haverforwest.

The identity of the body was confirmed today, and police say there are no suspicious circumstances.

Ben Thompson was reported missing on February 2nd, after he'd been to the Wales v Ireland Six Nations game at the Millennium Stadium.

A search operation involving up to 50 officers, including detectives and specialist search teams, spent many hours searching the Leckwith area of Cardiff where he was last seen.

Chief Inspector Eddie Ough, from South Wales Police, said: “At times like this the people of Cardiff really come together and South Wales Police would like to thank local residents, businesses and the media for their co-operation during our investigation.

“We wanted to find Ben alive and well but sadly that was not to be. We hope now at least that his friends and family have an element of closure and can be allowed to grieve in peace.”

South Wales Police have confirmed that a body found in the River Ely on Tuesday is that of missing Ben Thompson from Haverfordwest.

Police have cordoned off an area on the Ely Trail, next to Penarth Rd, in Cardiff, where a body has been found.

South Wales Police says a body has been found in the River Ely, near Penarth Road in Cardiff.

Formal identification has not yet taken place.

The family of 34-year-old Ben Thompson from Haverfordwest, who has been missing for more than a month after watching Wales play in the Six Nations, has been informed and are being kept updated by family liaison officers.

It's a month to the day since police started searching for missing rugby fan Ben Thompson.

He was last seen on Febuary 2nd in Cardiff, after watching Wales take on Ireland in the Six Nations.

Officers are scaling down search efforts, although they say 'periodic' searches will continue.

Dean Thomas reports.

It has been a month since Ben Thompson went missing in Cardiff.

The 34-year-old disappeared on February 2nd after watching the Six Nations game between Wales and Ireland.

Mr Thompson was captured on CCTV walking down a lane at the end of Lawrenny Avenue towards wasteland at 7:17pm that night.

Despite continued efforts by South Wales Police and an ongoing campaign by friends and family, he has yet to be found.

Mr Thompson is described as 5ft 9in tall, with short brown hair, blue eyes, and was last seen wearing brown leather lace-up boots, blue jeans, and a white shirt with blue thin stripes.

Police say they have scaled back their hunt for Haverfordwest man Ben Thompson, who went missing in Cardiff exactly one month ago tomorrow.

The search has involved up to 50 officers, including detectives and specialist search teams, who have been focusing on the Leckwith area of the city and the River Ely.

Chief Inspector Eddie Ough said: "Despite the skill, professionalism and best efforts of everyone involved, we have unfortunately been unable to find Ben.

“Although daily searches of the river are no longer taking place, we will continue to do our best to find Ben with periodic searches over the coming weeks and months.

“Ben’s family have been updated and our thoughts are with them during this very difficult time.”

The 34-year-old vanished from the city centre on February 2nd, where he had been watching the Wales v Ireland Six Nations game.

He was last seen on CCTV crossing Leckwith Road into Lawrenny Avenue at 7.17pm that day. Images capture him minutes later walking down a lane at the end of Lawrenny Avenue towards wasteland.

South Wales Police say teams searching for missing Haverfordwest man Ben Thompson will resume their efforts next week.

The 34-year-old went missing in Cardiff on February 2nd, the day of the Six Nations game between Wales and Ireland.

There have been no further confirmed sightings of Ben since he was seen on CCTV and there has been no activity on his mobile phone.

Police searching for missing Haverfordwest man Ben Thompson have focused towards the mouth of the River Ely in Cardiff today, using specialist sonar equipment.

Search teams have examined the stretch of river between Leckwith Hill bridge and the mouth of the River Ely, near Cardiff Bay Yacht Club.

The 34-year-old has now been missing for 12 days, since he socialised with friends after watching Wales play in the Six Nations at the Millennium Stadium.