'JOHN WAS ON IN A MILLION'
BODY FOUND IN WOODLAND BELIEVED TO BE MISSING VILLAGE MAN
A MAN who has been missing for more than five months has been described as “one in a million” in loving tributes after a body believed to be his was discovered in woodland.
John Davis, 56, of North Cotes, disappeared in January, leading to weeks of searching.
He had left his father’s home at Tetney Lock some time after sending a final text to his brother, Geoffrey, in the early hours of Wednesday, January 29, and was said to be in a “really bad state” before his disappearance.
Police sadly reported over the weekend that a body had been found in woods near Middle Rasen on Friday and although it was yet to be formally identified, officers believed it to be Mr Davis. Lincolnshire Police have confirmed that his family have been informed of the discovery of the body. The death is not being treated as suspicious.
Following the tragic news, friends and former colleagues of the North Cotes man left tributes to him via social media. Writing on the Grimsby Live Facebook page, Helen Hussey said: “John, you were one in a million and will be sadly missed.
“It is such a shame you didn’t realise how much we thought of you.”
Jason Cockram said: “I’m just saddened, I never wanted this news.
“I used to work with John, such a lovely funny guy but secretly very troubled, RIP JD.”
Dave McTeer said: “So very sad. John was such a nice guy and was so easy to get along with.
“My thoughts are now with his family.”
Steve King said: “I worked with John, such a nice guy. He will be missed.”
And Rebecca Turner said: “RIP Johnny, great memories back in the day.”
Mr Davis’ disappearance led to weeks of searching for him, with a number of sightings reported in the Grimsby area. Searches also took place in the Holton-le-Clay and Tetney areas, including in fields alongside the A16.
In February, his brother Geoffrey issued an emotional appeal for him to get in touch and let his family know he was safe.
At the time, Geoffrey said: “He just needs to know there’s a lot of help here for him. And John, your big brother is waiting for you, you can come back home and you will be safe.”
In the appeal, the family spoke of the final few days that Mr Davis spent with Geoffrey, after he arrived on his doorstep in Laceby on January 24.
This was the first time that he had seen or spoken to his brother in two years, and he could immediately tell something was wrong. Geoffrey spoke of how the family tried to get Mr Davis help through mental health services but faced difficulties. It is understood Mr Davis texted Geoffrey at 3am on January 29, hours before he was reported missing.
In the text, he asked his brother to not tell anyone he had visited Harrison House, a mental health service in Grimsby, days earlier. Mr Davis’ car was found in the Hartwell Ford area of Grimsby on Friday, January 31 following a search by Lincolnshire Police.
Two further possible sightings of him were also recorded in the Grimsby area on Wednesday, February 13 but he was not found during police searches.
Four months after his disappearance, Mr Davis was regraded by Lincolnshire Police as a “lowrisk” missing person.
He was also still listed by Humberside Police as being missing. A Lincolnshire Police statement said: “On Friday morning (July 10), a body of a man was discovered in the woods at Middle Rasen.
“While formal identification has yet to take place, officers believe it is John Davis, who was reported missing from North Cotes on January 29.
“This is not being treated as suspicious and his family have been informed.”