Police find human remains in search for grandad who vanished on walk

05 March 2023 , 23:14

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Peter Baglin disappeared three days after Christmas after telling family he was going for a walk to 'clear his head' (Image: MEN Media)

Detectives searching for a grandad who went missing more than two months ago say they have found human remains.

Peter Baglin vanished on December 28 after going for a walk along Manchester's Bridgewater Canal to "clear his head", family said.

Since then, the 55-year-old hospital worker from the Boothstown area of the city has not been seen or heard from.

Greater Manchester Police on Sunday confirmed that remains had been discovered and, while they were yet to be formally identified, the force has informed Peter's family.

GMP's Tactical Aid Unit sadly found the remains on Saturday morning while searching around the canal, which remained sealed off over the weekend.

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Peter told his family he going for a walk along the Bridgewater Canal in the Boothstown area of Manchester (MEN Media)

The death was currently being treated as unexplained, police said, with an investigation launched to find out the cause of death.

Detective Inspector Michael Sharples from GMP's Salford District said: "Though we are not currently in a position to confirm this is Peter, our thoughts remain with his wife Michelle and his loved ones.

"We understand that the last two months have been extremely difficult for them and this continues to be a distressing time for all of Peter’s loved ones."

Peter's wife Michelle was being supported by officers, police said (MEN Media)

The last official sighting of Mr Baglin came from a local petrol station, where he was spotted on CCTV buying a small bottle of whiskey minutes before he called his wife to say he would be home soon.

Temperatures on the night of the 28th plummeted "extremely low", police said, which may have impacted how the water behaves.

Police taped off the canal towpath after the discovery of human remains at the weekend (James Holt/MEN)

Det Insp Sharples added: "Search teams, made up of GMP personnel and colleagues from partner agencies - such as the National Police Air Service, North West Underwater Search Team and Mountain Rescue – have worked extensively to try and find Peter.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has assisted to date, and also to confirm that our enquiries will not stop until we have found the necessary answers for Peter’s loved ones, for our investigation and for coronial proceedings."

Helena Vesty