The family of a man 'missing' for five months are after answers from authorities after it emerged he had been found dead a week after disappearing.

Family, friends, and countless strangers spent months searching tirelessly for Canterbury musician Dan Venes, 31, after he was last seen in Margate on August 14.

An extensive police investigation saw officers also scour east Kent - sending up a helicopter on at least two occasions after possible sightings of Dan.

But it is now understood he was discovered dead on a beach in northern France just seven days after he was last seen.

His father, Jason Joiner, says it is unclear why it took so long for his son to be identified, adding: “It’s unbelievable. Hopefully we’ll get some answers.”

KentOnline understands Dan’s body was found about five miles from Calais on August 21.

But it was not until last Wednesday evening - 152 days after he is said to have been discovered - that Dan’s heartbroken family were informed, following DNA tests that revealed his identity.

Mr Joiner, from Swalecliffe, said: “I don’t know why it’s taken this long. He was found about five months ago, but it’s taken them all this time [to identify him in France].

“They haven’t really explained it that well. All they said was they’ve got to do dental records, then they’ll release his body.

“We want him home. I miss him and I love him.”

Prior to his disappearance, Dan, who had a history of mental health issues, is said to have been picked up at Sturry Railway Station by police due to concerns for his welfare.

He was then taken to the QEQM hospital in Margate, but is thought to have left soon after.

Dan, a former Herne Bay High pupil who lived in Reed Avenue just off Sturry Road, was spotted in the College Road area of Margate at about 6pm on August 14.

He was last seen alive a short while later when he was captured on CCTV in Margate.

Mammoth search effort

Dan’s disappearance sparked a high-profile, months-long quest to find him.

A ‘Help find Dan Venes’ page set up on Facebook amassed more than 3,500 followers, with members of the group - many of them strangers - regularly heading out at all hours to search fields and woodland across east Kent, and to check on tents following possible sightings.

Meanwhile, Kent Police continued their official search efforts.

On November 22 - 100 days after he went missing - Det Insp Louise Murphy said: “Daniel is still missing and enquiries to locate him remain ongoing.

"We are still very keen to hear from anyone who may have seen him or has any information about his whereabouts since August 14.”

Just three weeks ago, police renewed their appeal to locate Dan. Det Insp Louise Murphy said: “While it has been nearly six months since Daniel went missing, we have not given up hope of finding him and have been actively making enquiries to locate him.

“If anyone has any information that will assist us in our enquiries please call us.”

But unbeknown to them, Dan’s body had been found more than five months previously.

Dan’s close friend, Ricky Twyman, has echoed Mr Joiner’s frustration at the long delay between Dan’s body being found, and his identification.

He fears the current small boats crisis - which has seen many people tragically found dead on northern French beaches as unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers attempt to cross the Channel to reach England - may have caused delays, and feels police in France should have done more.

“Five months they’ve had him,” he said.

“I’m angry at the system. There’s so many people that have been lost in the Channel at the moment.

“Dan got found there just like every other soul - every other beautiful person who just wanted a better life, who tried coming across to England, and died.

“[French police] would have assumed that Dan was another person that they had no contact for.”

Kent Police confirmed last Wednesday night that it had been informed by Interpol the previous evening that “the body of a man had been discovered on a beach in northern France”.

A spokesman added: “Enquiries to establish the identity of the body are ongoing.

“However, the family of Daniel Venes, who was reported missing after he was last seen in Margate on Saturday, August 14, 2021, have been informed.”

Interpol declined to comment, while the French authorities have not responded to requests for a comment.

Outpouring of grief

News of Dan’s death has sparked a wave of sorrow.

Mr Joiner describes his son as a “brilliant” guitar player and “a lovely, caring person”.

Ricky remembers him as a kind, private person with a profound appreciation for the beauty of the natural world around him.

The pair, who both lived in Sturry, first met a decade ago but grew especially close in the last year.

“We’d spend three, five, seven days a week together,” explained Ricky.

“Most of it just walking and talking, exploring, guitar-playing and singing.”

“Dan loved nature. He’d take walks, meditate, take photos of things other people wouldn’t even find interesting.”

Dan was also a talented artist and musician, who had thousands of followers on Facebook pages exhibiting his work.

“He liked to make art with anything - paintings were his massive thing, but he’d literally try anything,” said Ricky.

“He was just a nice, chilled person. He’d do meditation and yoga. He was really into Wim Hof, which is about bracing extreme cold while holding your breath.”

Mr Joiner thanked Ricky, along members of the Facebook page, for their “amazing” efforts in searching for Dan.

Ricky in turn thanked the page administrators Lucinda Rose, Kay and Barry Foxly and Jess Howle.

The Facebook group has now been renamed ‘Remembering Dan Venes’.

Hundreds of people who anxiously awaited news of his whereabouts have taken to the page express their sorrow at news of his death.

One wrote: “Heartbreaking. My thoughts go to family and friends and to each and every person that helped to search. They never gave up on you, Dan. Rest in peace.”

Another wrote: “You were loved more than you realised.”

Others still paid tribute to Dan’s skills as an artist and musician, with one writing: “I didn’t know him but loved his work, thought he had great talent.”

“Absolutely gutted for everyone who gave so much in this quest to find Dan safe,” wrote another. “Thoughts, love and strength to his family, friends and all those affected by his passing.”

A Gofundme page has also been set up to raise money for Dan’s funeral, and to help with any costs incurred in returning his body to the UK.

Organiser Lucinda Rose wrote: “We want to make sure Dan has the best send-off possible, as well as helping towards the costs of bringing Dan home from France.

“Now this awful news has come around, we would like to raise what we can to help Dan’s family out at such a hard tim. All funds will be paid towards his final journey.

“His artwork, his music, his smile, it will forever be remembered.”

To donate, visit the Gofundme page.