POLICE have confirmed that the body of a young man found in the River Medway is that of Terry Reynolds.

Terry, who was 19 when he went missing in the early hours of New Year's Day, was found by a passer-by shortly before 4pm on Monday near Howlemere Close, Halling, near Rochester.

A Home Office Pathologist carried out a post mortem examination at Gillingham's Medway Maritime Hospital on Tuesday. The findings of the post mortem have led police to conclude that the death is not suspicious.

Det Insp Mike Morgan said: "This is a tragic discovery and our thoughts go out to Terry’s family and friends. We are continuing to investigate how this man came to be in the water. The findings of our investigation will be passed onto the coroner so that an inquest can take place.

"I would like to thank both local residents and the media for their assistance with this appeal. The response to our requests for information was significant as was the number of people who wanted to help find Terry."

Terry was last seen in Star Hill, Rochester, shortly after midnight on Monday, January 1. Following the report of his disappearance extensive searches using police dogs and helicopters were conducted and a missing persons appeal was launched.

Terry, from Chatham, had been due to celebrate his 20th birthday on Saturday, January 6.

On Thursday, January 4, Terry’s parents, Tim and Jane Reynolds, made an emotional appeal for information at a press conference held at Medway Police Station. On the same day police released CCTV images of three key witnesses they wanted to speak with.

As a result of the appeal the three men came forward and spoke with detectives, at no stage were they considered to be involved in Terry’s disappearance.