Body found in woodland is formally identified as man who went missing in 2015

A body found in woodland has been formally identified as a man who went missing three years ago.

Police launched a search in 2015 when 28-year-old Chris May's abandoned car was found in Fairstead, 11 miles north-east of Chelmsford, Essex.

A year later Essex Police said the search was a murder investigation and that Mr May was not thought to be alive.

The force received a call from a member of the public on May 13 this year about a body found in woodland at Faulkbourne, near Fairstead.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are now able to confirm the body is Chris May, 28, from Kelvedon, who went missing in May 2015.

"Detectives are continuing to establish his final movements in preparation for an inquest being held in October later this year.

"Chris's family are continuing to ask the media to respect their privacy."

Essex Police previously said Mr May had been "actively dealing drugs" and it was thought that "this involvement with drugs and him trying to extend his dealing... led to his death".

Mr May had been using drugs and was known to be dealing ecstasy, cocaine and mephedrone, the force said in 2017.

Anyone with any information regarding Mr May's death is asked to contact the North Major Investigation Team on 101.