Remains of missing man Piers Hopson found (From The Argus)

Remains of missing man Piers Hopson found

1:48pm Wednesday 27th June 2012 in News

A body found in the sea has been identified as a missing man from Sussex.

Piers Hopson, who had a form of autism, disappeared from his care home in St Leonards in January 2010.

He said he was going for a walk but did not return.

An extensive search by police, his family and volunteer search teams, was carried out for Mr Hopson, who had Asperger’s Syndrome and struggled to communicate.

However DNA tests on a body picked up by a French trawler several miles off the Newhaven coast in September 2010 have now revealed it to be 35-year-old Mr Hopson.

In a statement, his parents Roger and Dawn, from Crowborough, said: “We want to thank everyone who helped us in our search for Piers, the media, the public, the volunteer search teams and especially Sussex Police who have been marvellous.

“They followed up each possible sighting of Piers."

Detective Inspector Rob Morland, who led the investigation, said: "My sympathies go to Roger and Dawn and the family.

“This has been a long investigation and we were only aware on Monday this week that Pier's remains had been discovered and identified.

"It is a sad conclusion but I hope his family can now have closure."