A tragic turn in the search for 21 year old Sebastian Sailes has unfolded as police divers, scouring the River Avon near Chippenham, have discovered a body. The Bristol UWE student's family has been notified about this heart-wrenching development, with formal identification set to follow.

Sebastian was last spotted on CCTV on Lovers Walk in Chippenham around 11.30pm on Thursday, February 27, after exiting the Black Horse Pub. It is believed he was heading south on Avon Valley Walk towards his home in Notton when he vanished.

An extensive search operation ensued with Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Search and Rescue volunteers, Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire, specialist teams from other forces, local businesses, and support charities all joining forces in the effort to find Sebastian. Wiltshire Police had previously detailed their efforts in locating Sebastian, which included deploying divers in the river and using drones overhead.

County Chief Inspector Ben Huggins expressed the ongoing commitment to the search: "We're here today with further search activity for missing person Seb. We are conducting multiple, extensive enquiries. We have deployed a dive team into the river which remains one area of focus for us.", reports Bristol Live.

Wiltshire Police investigators discovered the body of a man "aged in his 70s" in the River Avon on March 3 while officers carried out their search for missing Sebastian Sailes. Officers confirmed in a statement last week that the man they discovered was not the main subject of the search. The spokesperson added the two men are not believed to be connected, but that Sebastian's family has been informed regardless.

The Wiltshire Police spokesperson explained there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the older man's death. They said: "I can confirm that the body of a man was found this morning in the River Avon. His next of kin have been made aware and our thoughts are with them."

They continued: "“We understand that this development will be concerning for the public. I would like to reassure them that Sebastian’s disappearance and the discovery of this man’s body are not linked." Following the discovery lof the elderly man's body last week, police set up a cordon around the older man's body, which has since been lifted.