A body found in the River Medway on Tuesday is that of David Leavey who went missing before Christmas, police have confirmed.

The 37-year-old who lived in Frindsbury Road, Strood, was last seen in New Road, Chatham, on Thursday, December 11, when he met a friend.

The next day they arranged by text to meet up again on Saturday, December 13, but Mr Leavey did not show up. He was reported missing on December 30 by this friend.

Family and friends of a man had been handing out leaflets in the Medway area in an appeal to the public for information. He was known to have links with the boating community.

They set up a Help Find David “Skinny” Leavey page on Facebook.

According to the page it wasn’t uncommon for Mr Leavey to be out of contact for some time which is why he was not reported missing immediately.

A post on the page on Friday said: “It is with great sadness and very heavy hearts that we can confirm we received a phone call on Wednesday morning that a body had been found in the river Medway matching David’s description. Today the body has been confirmed as David.

“We are all very upset at the moment but would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help and support over the last few weeks. We just wish we could of had a different outcome.

“We ask for you all to please respect our privacy during this very difficult time and let us grieve for our brother and our friend.”

A police spokesman said: "On January 20 a body was found in the River Medway at Cuxton. It has been formally identified as missing man David Leavey.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner."

The grim discovery comes after the body of missing Greenhithe man Pat Lamb was found very close by earlier this month.

He also disappeared at around the same time, after a night out in Maidstone.

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