Key Takeaways
- A body has been found in woodland off Lees Lane in Dalton, Lancashire, on Christmas Day
- The body is believed to be that of Tom Dingle, a 19-year-old Lancaster University student who went missing on December 13
- Tom Dingle was last seen on CCTV heading towards the Boathouse pub in the early hours of December 13
- The death is not being treated as suspicious, and formal identification is yet to take place
- Lancashire Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Tom Dingle’s death
Introduction to the Incident
The search for a missing Lancaster University student, Tom Dingle, has come to a tragic end. A body was found in woodland off Lees Lane in Dalton, Lancashire, on Christmas Day, and although formal identification has not yet taken place, the police believe it to be the 19-year-old student. Tom Dingle, from Appley Bridge, Lancashire, was last seen on CCTV on Mill Lane in the village, heading towards the Boathouse pub, in the early hours of December 13. The discovery of the body has brought an end to the search efforts, but it also raises questions about the circumstances surrounding Tom’s death.
The Search Efforts
Lancashire Police had been searching for Tom Dingle since his disappearance on December 13. The police had been reviewing CCTV footage and conducting searches in the area, but unfortunately, they were unable to locate Tom until the body was found on Christmas Day. The discovery was made by a member of the public, who contacted the police after finding the body in woodland off Lees Lane in Dalton. The police were able to respond quickly to the report and have since been investigating the circumstances surrounding Tom’s death. Although the death is not being treated as suspicious, the police will still need to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Tom’s death.
The Investigation
The investigation into Tom Dingle’s death is ongoing, and the police are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding his death. The fact that the death is not being treated as suspicious suggests that the police do not believe that Tom’s death was the result of a crime. However, the police will still need to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of death and to rule out any other potential factors. The investigation will likely involve reviewing CCTV footage, conducting interviews with witnesses, and analyzing any other relevant evidence. The police will also need to work with the coroner’s office to determine the cause of death and to complete the formal identification process.
The Response from the University and the Community
The discovery of Tom Dingle’s body has sent shockwaves through the Lancaster University community. The university has likely been providing support to Tom’s friends and classmates, and the community has been coming together to offer condolences to Tom’s family. The university may also be conducting its own investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tom’s death, and it will likely be working closely with the police to provide any relevant information. The community has been responding with an outpouring of support for Tom’s family, and there have likely been tributes and memorials set up to honor Tom’s memory.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The discovery of Tom Dingle’s body is a tragic end to the search efforts, and it will likely have a profound impact on the Lancaster University community and Tom’s family. The police will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Tom’s death, and the coroner’s office will work to determine the cause of death. The university and the community will also be providing support to Tom’s friends and classmates, and there will likely be ongoing tributes and memorials to honor Tom’s memory. As the investigation continues, it is likely that more information will come to light about the circumstances surrounding Tom’s death, and the community will be able to come together to support Tom’s family and to celebrate his life.