Body found in the Thames during search for missing Harvey Parker
Harvey was last seen leaving the LGBTQ nightclub, Heaven, on Friday 17 December.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Metropolitan Police
Police have today (Wednesday 5 January) confirmed that a body has been recovered from the River Thames in London and detectives searching for the missing 20-year-old, Harvey Parker, have been notified.
The Metropolitan Police said they had received reports by the RNLI on Tuesday 4 January shortly before midday that a body had been found near Embankment. The body was recovered by the force’s Marine Support Unit.
Police say the death is currently being treated as unexplained.
“Sadly a body has been recovered”
A statement from the Metropolitan Police goes on to say that formal identification has yet to take place, but that detectives involved in the search for Harvey Parker have been alerted. Their family has also been updated.
A report will be compiled for the Coroner.
Detective Chief Inspector Lucy O’Connor, of the Central South Command Unit, says: “Sadly a body has been recovered from the Thames near where Harvey was last seen. We are providing Harvey’s family with all the available information.
“We are also asking for media to please respect the family’s privacy at this challenging and difficult time.”
Harvey was seen leaving Heaven shortly after two o’clock in the morning on 17 December. They had gone to the nightclub after seeing Little Simz at the O2 Academy in Brixton.
The music student at the University of York was captured on CCTV footage leaving the LGBTQ nightclub alone before heading to Craven Street and towards Embankment.
Their mum, Amanda, alerted the police when they hadn’t returned home on Friday evening and she discovered they hadn’t been at work during the day.
A search of the Thames began on Wednesday 22 December.