Search for Martyn Richardson suspended following discovery of body

Police have suspended the search for a man with Asperger’s syndrome after a body was found in a waterway. Martyn Richardson was last seen departing a family birthday party in Bocking, near Braintree in Essex, on 24 August. The 27-year-old’s bicycle was discovered three days later in fields near the River Blackwater, according to his family. A body was located in Bocking on Saturday. Essex Police stated that Mr. Richardson’s family has been informed, but formal identification is still pending. Mr. Richardson, from Braintree, was last observed wearing a grey hoodie with a long-sleeved top underneath, black shorts, and black shoes. His family had previously informed BBC Essex that Mr. Richardson was “absolutely fine when he left, there were no obvious signs of anything.” Mary Richardson, who has been her grandson’s legal guardian since he moved in with her at the age of one, mentioned he had intended to go home after the party. A spokesperson for Essex Police announced: “We have suspended search activity for Martyn Richardson, 27, who had been reported missing from Braintree in August.” The spokesperson continued, “This follows the discovery of a man’s body in a waterway in Bocking.” They added, “Formal identification has yet to take place, but Mr Richardson’s family have been informed and we are supporting them.” Investigations are ongoing, and police have advised against speculation.