Human remains believed to be those of a missing teenager have been discovered in a river, prompting a murder investigation. Taylor Charlton, aged 15, was last sighted on May 8 near Tarka Leisure Centre and the Seven Brethren car park in Barnstaple, Devon. Authorities and local groups had been searching for him for six weeks after he was seen heading towards the River Taw.

The human remains were found near Sticklepath on Thursday, June 25, leading to the arrest of a man on suspicion of murder. Police were alerted to the scene on Wednesday, June 24, where the remains were retrieved from the water. While formal identification is pending, Taylor’s family has been notified of the situation. The Devon and Cornwall Police have urged the community not to speculate and to await further updates from the authorities.

The investigation continues, with a 20-year-old man taken into custody on June 12 for suspected murder. He has since been released on police bail.