Human remains discovered near Newquay in August last year have now been identified as those of a man who went missing in 2015.

DNA testing has shown that the remains are those of 45-year-old Darren Rhys Witcombe, originally from Wales, who disappeared from St Columb Minor in December 2015.

The remains were found in the area of Tregurrian on August 11, and it was initially thought they may have been Chad Gibson, who went missing on a night out in Newquay in December 2015, before DNA testing ruled out that possibility.

Officers are now appealing for any informatin on Mr Witcombe, who had lived in Newquay for many years, which could help piece together his whereabouts ahead of his disappearance.

Detective Constable Sarah Pinder, said: “We are currently treating the death of Darren Witcombe as unexplained and as part of our enquiries, we are appealing to the public to help us piece together a better picture of his whereabouts before he died.

“Darren was originally from Wales and had a noticeable Welsh accent, however he lived in Newquay for many years so was well known. Darren went missing towards the end of December 2015 and Detectives from Newquay CID are appealing to anyone who may have any information of Darren’s last movements. 

“The last confirmed sighting of Mr Witcombe was when he visited a friend at an address in Mount Batten Close, in St Columb Minor, Newquay on Wednesday the 23rd of December at around 10pm. He ordered a taxi but had left before it arrived. If you saw Darren during this period we would like to hear from you.

DC Pinder continues: “We are also keen to trace and speak to the member of public who found and handed in a phone belonging to Darren between Christmas and New Yeaar’s Eve 2015. The phone, a black Samsung Galaxy, was located in a garden and was handed it in to a member of staff at the Carousel Amusement Arcade.

“Any information, no matter how small could be vital for the police.”

If you saw or heard from Darren or have any information that may help the police understand how he came to his death, then please call 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk quoting enquiry number EN/016733/16.