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Chronicle Live
National
Nicole Goodwin

Body found in the search for missing County Durham man

A body has been found in the search for missing County Durham man Barry Hopkins.

Peterlee Police have confirmed that a body has been found between Horden and Blackhall Colliery in the search for the 65-year-old. Formal identification has yet to take place, however the family of Mr Hopkins have been informed.

Mr Hopkins went missing from his home in Shotton Colliery on March 22 and was last seen passing the Caterpillar site, in Shotton Road, Peterlee the same morning at around 10am. On Friday afternoon, police officers were seen searching by the side of the A19, close to the industrial estate, including in roadside bushes.

Read more: Dad running from Teesside to Newcastle in memory of brave eight-year-old son who died from brain tumour

On Sunday Peterlee Police released a statement which read: "We regret to report a body has been found between Horden and Blackhall Colliery. Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of missing man Barry Hopkins have been informed.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time, and we would like to thank everyone who assisted us with our search."

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