Human remains found in South Cumbria earlier this week have been confirmed as being a missing man from Blackpool.
Edward Forrester, 55, was last seen on September 1 and reported missing the next day.
Extensive enquiries involving specialist search teams, uniformed officers, detectives, search dogs and Cumbria police officers were launched at several locations.
On Wednesday, partial human remains were found in land off Ashes Lane, Staveley, near Kendal.
In an update released today, Lancashire Constabulary confirmed they were those of Mr Forrester, who was known as Eddie.
A Home Office post mortem has been conducted to establish a cause of death, police said, but was inconclusive.
Lancashire police said: “Eddie’s family have been made aware of the development and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
“Further searches will continue in Cumbria in the coming days as part of our enquiries.”
William Wilkinson, 65, of Seafield Road, Blackpool, was charged with Mr Forrester’s murder earlier this month.
He has since appeared at Preston Crown Court where he was remanded to stand trial on March 4 next year.
Detectives investigating Mr Forrester’s death are continuing to appeal for information, in particular the movements of a white van in the Kendal and Windermere areas between Sunday, September 3 and Monday, September 4.
Det Ch Insp Mark Haworth-Oates, of Lancashire police’s Major Investigation Team, said: “This is a very sad and distressing update which has confirmed our worst fears Eddie has come to harm.
“Eddie’s family have been kept updated throughout our investigation and my thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time.
“Our search enquiries will continue in the coming days in Cumbria.
“We remain keen to trace the movements of a white Peugeot Boxer van, registration KX09 XPA, which was in Blackpool and Lytham St Annes on September 2 and in Cumbria, specifically Kendal and Windermere, on September 3 and 4.
“Any information, seemingly how small or irrelevant, could provide great assistance to our investigation.”
Email forcecontrolroom@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 1384 of September 2, 2023.
