Latest news with #LucasFulcher
Metro
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Family seek answers after 'unforgettable' musician found dead at bottom of cave
The family of a 'unique' musician have demanded answers after he was found dead at the bottom of a cave system four months after vanishing. The body of Lucas Fulcher, 47, was found hidden in a chalk cave in Hangman's Woods, Essex. The 20-metre-deep underground pits known for mining during medieval times had been used for Scouts to go potholing before being turned into a hibernation area for bats. They were no longer open to the public. It took police more than 24 hours to retrieve the body after it was reported by a member of the public. Lucas had last been seen on 28 April. His death is being treated as unexplained. In a heartfelt tribute, his family described him as 'an unforgettable character' and 'a unique soul' with a deep love of music. In a statement released today, they said: 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lucas, whose absence is felt by his mother, siblings, extended family, friends, and the wider community who knew him. 'Lucas was a unique soul with a love for music. Whether he was writing songs, playing guitar, or singing—usually with a huge cup of coffee in his hand—music was his way of expressing himself. 'Lucas faced many challenges throughout his life, but he always stayed true to who he was: creative, eccentric, and thoughtful in his own way. We know that anyone who knew him would agree that he was an unforgettable character. 'We choose to remember him with love and happy memories. 'We are grateful for the support shown to our family during this difficult time, and ask for privacy and kindness as we continue to grieve and seek answers.' Investigations into Lucas's death are ongoing. The deneholes in Hangman's Woods are considered the best preserved set in existence and are a Scheduled Monument. They consist of vertical shafts through sand with branching chambers cut into the chalk. These deneholes are particularly deep, with shafts reaching more than 20 metres deep before they reach chalk. Most of the deneholes have been infilled, but the ones still open have been fenced off, as it is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the bat colony which roosts there. They are the most important underground hibernation sites for bats in Essex, with three species the brown long-eared bat, Natterer's bat and Daubenton's bat. Generally, there is no public access allowed to the deneholes, but it is possible to request access from the council. MORE: Anti-racism protestors claim victory after 'outnumbering' far right in Epping MORE: Essex police chief demands asylum seekers be moved from Epping hotel MORE: Police blast 'hooligans' for £100,000 cost of Epping migrant hotel disorder
Scottish Sun
06-08-2025
- Scottish Sun
Man, 47, found dead in underground cave at beauty spot is pictured as family pay tribute to ‘unforgettable character'
CAVE TRAGEDY Man, 47, found dead in underground cave at beauty spot is pictured as family pay tribute to 'unforgettable character' THE heartbroken family of a man found dead in an underground cave have paid tribute to the "unforgettable character' with a 'unique soul'. Police tragically located Lucas Fulcher, 47, after being called to deneholes, near Hangman's Woods in Grays, Essex, last month. Advertisement 2 Officers recovered the body on July 31 Credit: essex police 2 Police tragically located Lucas Fulcher, 47, after being called to deneholes, on July 29 Officers using specialist equipment recovered his body from the site, off Stanford Road, on Thursday July 31. In a statement Lucas' devastated family said: 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lucas, whose absence is felt by his mother, siblings, extended family, friends, and the wider community who knew him. 'Lucas was a unique soul with a love for music. Whether he was writing songs, playing guitar, or singing; usually with a huge cup of coffee in his hand, music was his way of expressing himself. 'Lucas faced many challenges throughout his life, but he always stayed true to who he was: creative, eccentric, and thoughtful in his own way. Advertisement "We know that anyone who knew him would agree that he was an unforgettable character. 'We choose to remember him with love and happy memories. 'We are grateful for the support shown to our family during this difficult time, and ask for privacy and kindness as we continue to grieve and seek answers.' Detective Inspector Darren Ward said: 'My thoughts, and those of my team, are with Lucas' family at this very difficult time. Advertisement 'We have been working hard to give them the answers they are looking for. 'While, at this stage, we have not been able to establish exactly how Lucas died there is nothing to suggest his death was suspicious and we will be preparing a file for the coroner. 'I again want to thank the officers and our partners who worked diligently, professionally, and compassionately to ensure his dignity'. Deneholes are ancient chalk caves which were used as mines in medieval times. Advertisement The deneholes in Hangman's Woods are considered the best preserved set in existence and are a Scheduled Monument. Each structure consists of vertical shafts through sand with branching chambers cut into the chalk. The ones found in Hangman's Woods are particularly deep, with some shafts reaching more than 20m deep before hitting chalk. While most have been infilled, some remain open - although with fencing in place as it is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the bat colony which roosts there. Advertisement Typically, there is no public access allowed to the deneholes, but it is possible to request access from the council.
The Sun
06-08-2025
- The Sun
Man, 47, found dead in underground cave at beauty spot is pictured as family pay tribute to ‘unforgettable character'
THE heartbroken family of a man found dead in an underground cave have paid tribute to the "unforgettable character' with a 'unique soul'. Police tragically located Lucas Fulcher, 47, after being called to deneholes, near Hangman's Woods in Grays, Essex, last month. Officers using specialist equipment recovered his body from the site, off Stanford Road, on Thursday July 31. In a statement the family said: 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lucas, whose absence is felt by his mother, siblings, extended family, friends, and the wider community who knew him. 'Lucas was a unique soul with a love for music. Whether he was writing songs, playing guitar, or singing; usually with a huge cup of coffee in his hand, music was his way of expressing himself. 'Lucas faced many challenges throughout his life, but he always stayed true to who he was: creative, eccentric, and thoughtful in his own way. We know that anyone who knew him would agree that he was an unforgettable character. 'We choose to remember him with love and happy memories. 'We are grateful for the support shown to our family during this difficult time, and ask for privacy and kindness as we continue to grieve and seek answers.' Deneholes are ancient chalk caves which were used as mines in medieval times. The deneholes in Hangman's Woods are considered the best preserved set in existence and are a Scheduled Monument. Each structure consists of vertical shafts through sand with branching chambers cut into the chalk. The ones found in Hangman's Woods are particularly deep, with some shafts reaching more than 20m deep before hitting chalk. While most have been infilled, some remain open - although with fencing in place as it is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the bat colony which roosts there. Typically, there is no public access allowed to the deneholes, but it is possible to request access from the council. Detective Inspector Darren Ward said: 'My thoughts, and those of my team, are with Lucas' family at this very difficult time. 'We have been working hard to give them the answers they are looking for. 'While, at this stage, we have not been able to establish exactly how Lucas died there is nothing to suggest his death was suspicious and we will be preparing a file for the coroner. 'I again want to thank the officers and our partners who worked diligently, professionally, and compassionately to ensure his dignity'.
BBC News
06-08-2025
- BBC News
Tributes paid to man found dead in Grays chalk cave area
Tributes have been paid to a "unique soul" whose body was found in an area of ancient chalk Fulcher, 47, from South Ockendon, Essex, was last seen on 28 April. His body was found in deneholes off Stanford Road, Grays, last family described him as an "unforgettable character" who was "creative, eccentric, and thoughtful in his own way".Essex Police said it had not been able to establish exactly how he died, but said there was nothing to suggest there were any suspicious circumstances. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lucas, whose absence is felt by his mother, siblings, extended family, friends, and the wider community who knew him," the family's statement said."Lucas was a unique soul with a love for music. Whether he was writing songs, playing guitar, or singing; usually with a huge cup of coffee in his hand, music was his way of expressing himself."Lucas faced many challenges throughout his life, but he always stayed true to who he was."Det Insp Darren Ward said officers were "working hard to give them [his family] the answers they are looking for".He added the force was preparing a file for the coroner. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
