Body of Blackpool man Connor Parfitt missing for three days tragically discovered on beach in Aberystwyth
‘This is not the outcome any of us had hoped for, including the teams involved in the searches.’
A Blackpool man dreaming of a new life in North Wales has tragically been found dead on a beach.
Connor Parfitt went missing in Pwhelli in North Wales last week after he was last seen with his friend Simon Wilson in Pwllheli, believed to be heading to the beach with inflatable kayaks.
The 24-year-old had taken up a job at the nearby Haven Holidays site three weeks ago and was dreaming of a bright future.
But tragically, after failing to return from the beach a police search was launched for the pair and on Sunday Connor’s body was discovered on a beach in Aberystwyth.
In a statement, North Wales Police said: “Officers were called at around 12.30pm yesterday, 26 July, to reports of a body being found on a beach in Aberystwyth.
“The man has now been identified as Connor Parfitt, one of the men who we circulated as missing from Pwllheli last week.
“Connor’s family and the coroner have been informed.
“Sadly, Simon Wilson has not yet been found, and officers are continuing to support his family.”
Chief Inspector Stephen Pawson said: “My thoughts remain with both Connor and Simon’s families at this incredibly difficult time.
“This is not the outcome any of us had hoped for, including the teams involved in the searches.
“Thank you to partner agencies, volunteers and members of the public who assisted in our searches over the last six days.
A major multi-agency search was launched, including police and HM Coastguard, when the pair went missing shortly after noon on Thursday July 23.
However the search was eventually scaled down.
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A statement from the coastguard said: “HM Coastguard responded to an incident reported at Pwllheli, North Wales, at about 12.20pm on July 23.
“They responded by sending Coastguard Rescue Teams from Criccieth, Abersoch and Llandwrog, RNLI lifeboats from Criccieth and Abersoch, and HM Coastguard helicopter and aeroplane.”
There has been an outpouring of heartfelt tributes to Connor from his friends and family in Blackpool describing him as a good friend and ‘taken far too soon’.
Police in Wales are continuing their search for Simon. They are appealing for any information or sightings of him and people should to contact police quoting reference O120829.