Cops share CCTV of 3 mystery figures they are hunting after missing boy, 16, found dead in river
Date: 2024-10-21
CCTV has been released following the death of a 16-year-old boy who was found in a river after he was last seen wandering alone at night.
Jonty Evans was found unresponsive in the River Weaver in Nantwich, Cheshire, on September 1.
Jonty Evans was found dead in the River Weaver a day after he disappeared[/caption]
The teen had vanished the day before after he was seen wandering along a main road at 12.54am.
He then crossed the road and entered Mill Island – a park located inside the River Weaver.
Police investigating Jonty’s death have now released new CCTV images of three people they are trying to locate.
One image shows a couple entering Mill Street at 12.53am – a minute before the teen was last seen alive.
The second CCTV picture is of a man who left the park before walking toward Nantwich town centre at 12.59am.
Cheshire Police are also hoping to speak to anyone who entered the Mill Island area or was in the vicinity of Riverside, known locally as ‘the beach’, between 12.30am and 6am on August 31.
The force confirmed they are working to establish how Jonty entered the water.
Two 16-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of assault but have since been eliminated from the investigation.
Detective Inspector Nigel Parr, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “We believe that these people may hold crucial information and, as part of our ongoing enquiries, we are looking to identify them.
“If you know the identity of any of these people, or have any information regarding them, please contact us.
“We would also like to appeal directly to the people pictured to get in touch.”
Jonty’s family previously paid tribute to the teenager following the tragedy.
They said: “No words will ever describe the loss of our son. He was not only a son, but a friend and a brother.
“Jonty was compassionate, sensitive, brave and full of light, when he smiled it was as mountains smile to see the spring. His warm face greets me when I fall asleep and he’s there the moment I wake up.
“You were ripped away from having a full and rich life and we were stolen the chance of ever having to see you grow old. This pain in our chests will never leave us and will forever be within our hearts because we love Jonty and that’s something no one can take away from us.
“Tonight, and tomorrow and for the rest of our lives, we will look for you in the stars and through sunsets and remember who you were, until we meet again.”
Anyone with information can call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML-1907900.
Officers are also hoping to speak to this man who left Mill Island after Jonty arrived[/caption]