Search for missing pensioner ends after body found at Kenilworth Castle

A body found near Kenilworth Castle is believed to be that of 86-year-old John Taylor, Warwickshire Police have stated.

Though not yet formally identified, the pensioner is believed to be the individual found in the undergrowth on the castle grounds.

Mr Taylor was last seen on 3 December close to the castle site.

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police said: “We’re sorry to report that officers searching for missing man John Taylor have recovered a body from undergrowth near Kenilworth Castle.

We ask that people respect their privacy at this difficult time. Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal and supported in the searches for John

Warwickshire Police

“John went missing from Kenilworth on Tuesday, December 3. His family has been informed. We’re now awaiting formal identification, and we continue to support John’s family.

“We ask that people respect their privacy at this difficult time. Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal and supported in the searches for John.”

Taylor’s disappearance earlier this month near Kenilworth Castle triggered a large-scale investigation.

Sutherland Lane, Detective Chief Inspector of Warwickshire Police, stated on 11 December that the search included “specially trained search officers; volunteer search and rescue teams; financial enquiries; mobile phone enquiries; CCTV and dash cam enquiries; door-to-door enquiries; drone and helicopter searches; police dog searches; and searches by expert water search teams.”

Despite these efforts, hopes of finding Taylor alive diminished as the search went on, with DCI Lane declaring in the same statement that the search had switched to a “recovery operation”.

Warwickshire Police further praised the efforts of volunteer searchers, including members of Warwickshire Search and Rescue and Northamptonshire Search and Rescue.

As Storm Darragh overtook the local area beginning 7 December, authorities had warned these groups not to endanger themselves in the process of looking for Mr Taylor.

Police have dismissed any foul play in the disappearance and death of Mr Taylor, stating that: “We don’t believe anyone else was involved in John’s disappearance.”