Human Remains Identified as Man Who Disappeared After Leaving Home Over 2 Years Ago
Stefan Watkins, 47, of Warwick, England, was reported missing in May 2023
In February, authorities found human remains in Coventry
Extensive testing confirmed that the remains belonged to him, the Warwickshire Police announced on Tuesday, June 10Human remains found earlier this year have now been identified as belonging to a British man who disappeared over two years ago.
After "extensive" tests, authorities were able to confirm that remains found in February belonged to Stefan Watkins, 47, the Warwickshire Police Department said in a statement on Tuesday, June 10.
'We are not treating his death as suspicious,' police continued, noting that 'Stefan's family has been informed, and a file will be passed to the coroner.'
According to police, the Warwick man, who was "known as Lee or LeeLee" was last seen after leaving his home on May 6, 2023.
In an update last September, authorities said that they believed he might have traveled to Coventry early in the morning of May 7, 2023. However, despite "pursuing numerous investigative opportunities and data enquires - speaking with witnesses, viewing CCTV, and issuing media appeals," he remained missing.
Police went on to say that a 45-year-old woman, who was arrested that July on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in connection with his disappearance, had been released and that no further action would be taken.
"It has been, and continues to be, a challenging time for Stefan's partner," senior investigating officer Gareth Unett said in a statement, going on to ask the public for help.
"Any information you can give us – no matter how small – may be a crucial missing piece to help get answers for her and Stefan's loved ones,' Unett added.
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In February, police announced that authorities searching for Watkins came across remains in an area of Coventry. Four months later, they announced the positive identification.
'We'd like to thank everyone who helped us by sharing our appeals as we tried to find Stefan and we know his disappearance struck a real chord in the local area," Unett said in a statement.
'Since Stefan was reported as a missing person, we've continually supported his family and strived to get answers for them,' Unett continued. 'It's been a complex and lengthy investigation, and although this is not the outcome any of us would have wanted, hopefully his loved ones should now be able to start to come to terms with what has happened."
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