Body found in woodland amid search for missing elderly couple

A murder inquiry has been launched

The body, believed to be 75-year-old Peter Stuart, was found in woodland near the couple’s home

A body has been found by police searching for a missing couple in Suffolk.

It was found on Friday evening in woodland near the couple’s home in Weybread and is believed to be the body of 75-year-old Peter Stuart.

The couple were reported missing earlier that day by a relative who said Peter and Sylvia Stuart had not been seen by friends or family since 28 May.Police launched the search soon afterwards.

Suffolk Fire Service crews were involved in the search of nearby fields and streams for missing Mrs Stuart, 69.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Parkes, from Suffolk Police, told a news conference in Weybread that the body was found fully clothed about nine metres from the Stuarts' home.

Mr Parkes could not comment on how long it had been there before it had been discovered.

"We are treating this as a murder inquiry and as a missing person investigation as we continue to search for Sylvia," he said.

"We are currently carrying out a number of inquiries to find out exactly what has happened and would continue to ask anyone with information to come forward.

"We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in this area of Weybread between Saturday 28 May and today and would ask anyone who can help to call us."

The village of Weybread is made up of about 200 homes covering about 2,500 acres (1,011 hectares), meaning many of the houses are widely spaced apart.

When officers originally appealed for help to find the couple, who were reportedly keen line dancers, they said the Stuarts’ disappearance without telling anyone was “out of character”.