Detectives believe the body is that of Lucy Candlish who went missing on Sunday (Picture: Ncj media)
A body has been found in the search for a missing 19-year-old, police have confirmed.
Detectives believe the body is that of Lucy Candlish, who had not been seen since leaving her family home in Blackhill, Northumberland, at around 5.30pm on Sunday.
Lucy, who worked as a carer, failed to attend work or return home on Monday morning and police were contacted.
Formal identification is yet to take place on the body which was discovered in a wooded area in Consett on Wednesday afternoon.
Durham Constabulary are not treating her death as suspicious.
Lucy’s brother Ross confirmed the death of his sister on Facebook, writing: ‘I’d just like to update everyone on the search for my sister. I’d like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support we have received in the search for my sister.
‘Unfortunately a body has been found and it is believed to be Lucy Candlish.
‘Me and my sister had our ups and downs and sometimes fought like cat and dog but from the bottom of my heart I loved her to pieces.
‘May she rest in piece and enjoy the heaven she has entered, I’ll see you there one day, so will your mam, dad, smokey and everyone else in your family. [sic]’
Formal identification is yet to take place
Sister Beverley Candlish previously said Lucy had been her normal self in the days before her disappearance.
She said she was last seen leaving her house to ‘cool off’ after arguing with a friend on the phone – but never returned.
Beverley previously explained: ‘It was starting to get dark and cold. Her mam texted her to see where she was and it got delivered but she didn’t reply. An hour later her phone was turned off.’
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: ‘We are saddened to report that a body has been found in the search for Lucy Candlish.
‘The body of a woman was discovered in a wooded area in Consett this lunchtime.
‘Formal identification has yet to take place but we believe it to be that of the 19-year-old. Lucy’s family have been informed.
‘At this point her death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.’
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