04 January 2024 , 15:17
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A body has been found after a week-long search for a missing man last seen entering a river after being "chased by police".
Joshua Shaw, 23, vanished on the evening of December 27 after he was reportedly seen entering the River Taff in Pontypridd, South Wales. His mum claimed he was being "chased" by officers at the time.
Now after a seven-day search involving police and fire crews as well as the coastguard, detectives confirmed a man's body had been discovered close to the river bank after water levels went down. While the body is yet to be formally identified as Joshua, South Wales Police said his family had been informed of the discovery.
Joshua's mother Leanne previously criticised the police's search and said she felt unsupported by the force. She said that she was told by officers that they had been in contact with Joshua on the evening he disappeared, with the force confirming officers witnessed the 23-year-old entering the water.
She said that after a week of searching, with the river level so high due to Storms Gerrit and Henk, the family were expecting the worst, Wales Online reports. "We want to find him for closure now. We have basically accepted that he is still in there and he isn’t coming back. We just want to find him for closure now basically."
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A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "The body of a man has been located in the Gwaelod y Garth area close to the river Taff following a reduction in the river levels. While formal identification has yet to take place, the family of Joshua Shaw who was reported missing on Wednesday 27 December are aware of the development. Specialist officers and services have been deployed to the area.
"HM Coroner has been informed and a coronial investigation will now take place into the circumstances of his death. Our thoughts are with the next of kin at this difficult time."