A body has been discovered in the search for 15-year-old Matthew McCallan from Northern Ireland, the PSNI has confirmed. A police investigation was launched two days ago with hundreds of people joining the search to help find Matthew who disappeared at around 1.30am on Sunday in Fintona, Belfast Live reports.
Matthew, who was a former student of St Mary's PS, Carland and was currently a year 12 student at St Patrick's College in Dungannon was last seen leaving a Jamboree country music night on Sunday evening. The PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) and Search and Rescue teams coordinated an extensive search in many local areas on Sunday and Monday with the help of hundreds of volunteers.
The search began at the Church of Ireland in Fintona where Matthew's family had previously thanked the public for their support. The Tattyreagh Road in the nearby area was shut down on Monday as a PSNI spokesperson confirmed that a body had been uncovered in a ditch outside a property.
The PSNI say Matthew's death is currently being treated as 'unexplained'. They added: "Detectives in the Criminal Investigation Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a teenage boy following the discovery of a body in the Fintona area shortly before 12 noon on Monday, 5th December.
"It is believed to be the body of 15 year old Matthew McCallan from the Dungannon area." Detective Inspector Michael Winters said: “Our thoughts are very much with Matthew’s devastated family who received this tragic news today.
"A number of specially trained officers are providing support to them at this time. Detectives will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.
“Police received a report of a missing person shortly after 3.30am on Sunday, 4th December when Matthew did not arrive home after attending an event in Fintona on Saturday night. Sadly a body, which we believe to be Matthew, was discovered in a ditch in the laneway of a property approximately two miles away from the social event today, Monday 5th December, at 11.45am.
“We are keeping an open mind and would appeal for anyone with information to come forward. Matthew was last seen at approximately 1.20am in the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona, and we are keen to establish his movements after this time. I would appeal to anyone who saw the teenager or anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 319 of 04/12/22.”
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