MISSING MAN’S BODY FOUND DEATH OF DAD-OF-THREE NOT SUSPICIOUS: PSNI
THE body of missing Belfast man Robert Holmes has been found.
The 42-year-old was last seen in the Lakeview Avenue area of Newtownabbey shortly after 12.50pm on Wednesday, October 17.
Police confirmed last night that a body recovered in the Three Mile Water area of Newtownabbey earlier in the day was that of the father-of-three. The PSNI said it is not treating the death as suspicious at this time.
Mr Holmes, who had been working as a labourer, was also well-known as a singer-songwriter on the local music scene.
Rock band Snow Patrol were among a string of high-profile figures who came forward asking for information after Robert’s disappearance.
Belfast DJ and friend David Holmes, singer-songwriter Tony Wright, broadcaster Colin Mur- ray and comedian Jake O’Kane, who described him as “an absolute gentleman”, all backed the appeal.
Mr Holmes is survived by his wife Anne-Marie, children Katie (16), Evie (11) and Oscar (9), parents Robert and Margaret, sister Joanne Clarke, and family.
The family’s church, Greenisland Baptist, had been supportive since Mr Holmes went missing and extended sympathy to them last night.
“Please be in prayer for the Clarke and Holmes family. We are devastated to share, at the
family’s request, that Robert’s body was found this evening. We plead with our great God to have mercy upon this wee family,”
a spokesperson said. Joanne (48) told the Belfast Telegraph earlier this week that the family had been devastated by Robert’s disappearance. Recalling the last time she saw her brother, she said: “He had just started a new labouring job and he was loving it.
“He’d also started a new walking group and had made new friends; he was in Newcastle about three Saturdays ago and really made a connection with the members.
“He was writing new songs as well and they were all about praising God. The kids would have come round and he made dinner for them. He’s just a lovely, lovely man. He was just starting to go on a journey with the Lord, he had loads to look forward to and was doing well.”
She said he loved his children, and was talented with his music. “Anyone who met him knew how charismatic he was,” she said.
“Even the people he met in the last month are in tears because he made such an impact with them.
“There’s maybe also a sad side to him as well for this to happen, but we felt he was in a positive place. Our parents are in bits. We’re such a small family, there’s only the four of us, and we’re very close-knit and rely on each other an awful lot.”
❝ Even the people he met in the last month are in tears because he made such an impact on them