A body has been found in a wooded area on the outskirts of Easington, with police believing it to be that of pensioner Malcolm Curtis, who has been missing since last June.
Humberside Police said officers were alerted on Sunday, February 15, after the body of a man was discovered in the area.
The body was recovered and, while formal identification is yet to take place, it is believed to be Malcolm, 89, from Easington, who was reported missing on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Malcolm’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Police said their thoughts remained with them at this difficult time and that there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.
The discovery follows extensive search efforts involving emergency services, volunteers and local residents after Malcolm disappeared last summer.
The 89-year-old was last sighted at around 8.15am on June 4 walking west along Hull Road in Easington, with an earlier confirmed sighting at about 8.10am on Westfield Close.
His disappearance prompted a large multi-agency operation involving Humberside Police, HM Coastguard, RNLI, aerial support and specialist dog units. Officers searched an area of about three square miles covering Easington and neighbouring villages, using patrol vehicles, off-road bikes, drones and the police helicopter, alongside underwater search teams and scent dogs.
Chief Inspector Owen Stafford previously said: “Since Malcolm was reported missing, we have carried out extensive inquiries involving large-scale searches over a 7.5km² area of countryside with specialist trained teams, scent dogs, the Underwater Search Unit, and support from partner agencies, as well as Malcolm’s family and friends.
“We have reviewed hours of CCTV and doorbell footage and undertaken house-to-house inquiries to understand Malcolm’s movements and the direction he may have taken.
“As time passes, the nature of our search efforts continues to adapt with specialist search dogs carrying out more targeted searches based on the information we’ve gathered so far. Our work to find Malcolm remains ongoing, and we are committed to doing everything we can to provide answers for his family and loved ones, who are being supported throughout this difficult time.”
Members of the public also joined the search, scouring fields, ditches and outbuildings across the local area, while drone operator Craig Marriott also carried out regular aerial searches.