[P]olice are appealing for information after a man’s body was found in Houghton on Christmas Eve.
Officers are continuing to make enquiries after the man was found at a recycling site at 9.40pm.
The man has now been named as 28 year old Jay McLaren of Hadleigh Road, Sunderland. Jay was reported missing by family on Saturday 23 December 2017, after he failed to return home following a night out in Sunderland.
While it is believed there was no third party involvement, police are seeking information from the public to help trace Jay’s last movements. The last confirmed sighting of Jay is at 0415 hours on Saturday 23rd December 2017 outside Arizona and Purple bar. From here, he is understood to have been taken to the recycling plant after entering a bin that was later collected in the early hours of Saturday 23rd December 2017.
Jay’s family are being supported by specialist officers and wish to send a message to drinkers and partygoers to stay safe on a night out, particularly as New Year’s Eve approaches. They’re urging people to stay together and keep an eye out for friends.
Anyone who believes they may have seen or spoken to Jay in the early hours of Saturday 23rd December 2017 should contact police on 101 quoting 1205 231217.
