Body in river confirmed as that of missing Haverfordwest man Ben Thompson (From Milford Mercury)

Body in river confirmed as that of missing Haverfordwest man Ben Thompson

2:25pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News

South Wales Police have confirmed that the body found in the River Ely on Tuesday, March 12 is that of Ben Thompson, aged 34, from Haverfordwest.

Formal identification was carried out today (Friday).

There are no suspicious circumstances and an inquest will be held in due course.

The family have been kept fully informed and are continuing to receive support from South Wales Police.

Ben’s wife Jo said: “Losing Ben has left us all devastated but finding him on Tuesday has answered many unanswered questions and given us the chance to say our goodbyes.

“Somehow we must now move on with our lives and ask to be allowed to grieve in peace for such a kind and loving man.

“We wish to thank Ben’s friends and colleagues for their support and South Wales Police for their efforts in searching for Ben.”

Ben was reported missing in Cardiff on Saturday, February 2 after attending the Wales v Ireland Six Nations game at the Millennium Stadium.

CCTV footage showed Ben crossing Leckwith Road into Lawrenny Avenue at 7.17pm that day and images capture him minutes later walking down a lane at the end of Lawrenny Avenue towards wasteland.

There were no further confirmed sightings of Ben.

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.

His body was found in the River Ely near Penarth Road on Tuesday afternoon by a member of the public who alerted police.

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 are grateful for this support and the many kind offers we received – from businesses printing posters for free, to Cardiff City Football Club providing our search teams with a room for equipment, and the Sand Martin Pub accommodating briefings and a press conference.

“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.”