BODY FOUND IN WATER AFTER 11-DAY SEARCH FOR MISSING 18-YEAR-OLD GEORGE

A body has been recovered from water during the desperate search for an 18-year-old man who disappeared from a seaside town more than 10 days ago.

George, from Portishead, Somerset, was last seen at around 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, in the Woodlands Road and Pier Road area of Portishead. His disappearance triggered an extensive search involving police officers, coastguard teams, the RNLI and other emergency services.

On Sunday, September 27, police confirmed that a body had been recovered from water at a coastal location near Newport, Wales.

The clothing found on the body matched what George had been wearing when he was last seen.

However, authorities stressed that formal identification has not yet taken place. His family has been informed of the discovery and is being supported by a specially trained officer.

A SEARCH THAT LASTED MORE THAN 10 DAYS

George was reported missing after he disappeared from Portishead on September 17.

Police had previously released details of his appearance and clothing, asking members of the public to come forward with any information that could help locate him.

He was described as around 5ft 7in tall, with short brown hair. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a black hoodie, black jogging bottoms and orange-and-grey shoes. Police said he may have appeared disorientated or confused.

Investigators appealed for CCTV, doorbell-camera and dashcam footage from the area.

They also asked anyone who had been walking along the beach that evening to contact them, including one man police believed may have seen or spoken with George.

The search also involved specialist teams, with police warning members of the public not to put themselves in danger by attempting to cross mud or reach difficult coastal areas themselves.

BODY RECOVERED NEAR NEWPORT

The breakthrough came on the morning of Sunday, September 27.

Avon and Somerset Police said they were informed that a body had been recovered from water at a coastal location near Newport.

The clothing matched that worn by George when he was last seen in Portishead.

Police subsequently contacted his family.

Despite the clothing match, officers said a formal identification process would still be required before the person can officially be identified as George.

The location of the discovery is in Wales, meaning the search had extended beyond the area where George was last seen.

The Irish Sun reported that the search had involved police, coastguard teams, the RNLI and other emergency services in the days following his disappearance.

POLICE SAY DEATH IS NOT BEING TREATED AS SUSPICIOUS

One of the most significant details released by investigators is that the death is not currently being treated as suspicious.

Avon and Somerset Police said the circumstances will now be a matter for the coroner.

That means the discovery itself does not establish how the person died, and further procedures will be required before the circumstances surrounding the death are formally determined.

Police have also asked for privacy for George’s family as they deal with the latest development.

The force said the family had been touched by the support they received during the search but was understandably asking for privacy at this difficult time.

FAMILY HAD BEEN WAITING FOR NEWS

Before the body was discovered, police repeatedly appealed for information and acknowledged the distress experienced by George’s family.

Detective Chief Inspector James Wasiak previously urged anyone with relevant footage or information to come forward, saying such evidence could help investigators target their searches more effectively.

Police also thanked members of the public who had shared appeals and assisted with the search, as well as Gwent Police and the RNLI for their involvement in the latest operation.

George had links to both Clevedon and Portishead and had been travelling on foot when he went missing.

His disappearance was listed by the charity Missing People, which recorded him as missing from Portishead since September 17, 2026.

FORMAL IDENTIFICATION STILL TO COME

For now, police have stopped short of confirming that the recovered body is George.

The clothing match is a significant development, but authorities must complete the formal identification process before making that confirmation.

The coroner will then consider the circumstances surrounding the death.

For George’s family, the discovery comes after more than a week and a half of uncertainty and an extensive search involving emergency crews across the coastline.

The investigation is continuing, while specially trained officers remain in contact with the family.

George’s disappearance began with an urgent search for an 18-year-old who had simply vanished. Now, investigators are working to establish whether the body recovered near Newport is the young man his family has been desperately waiting to find — and what happened to him.