Body found in search for missing Newtownabbey man

Police have confirmed Robert Holmes' body has been found after a week-long search.

Robert Holmes (PSNI)
Author: Naomi HollandPublished 25th Oct 2018

The body of missing Newtownabbey man Robert Holmes has been found, a week after he was last seen.

Just yesterday, the 42-year-old’s sister Joanne Clarke, issued an emotional appeal for him to come home saying he was loved and missed.

But on Wednesday night the family were given the devastating news that he was dead.

Police confirmed his body had been found in the three mile water area of Newtownabbey.

The musician was last seen in Lakeview Avenue last Wednesday and his family issued missing posters and launched a search operation.

A number of high profile figures here also echoed calls for information on the dad-of-three’s whereabouts, including the band Snow Patrol and the comedian Jake O’Kane.

But their hopes were dashed when the search came to a tragic end last night.

The PSNI issued this statement just before 10pm:

"Police can confirm that a body recovered earlier today in the Three Mile Water area of Newtownabbey was that of the missing 42 year old man, Robert Holmes.

"Mr Holmes had been reported missing from his north Belfast home on Wednesday 17 October.

"Police are not treating the death as suspicious at this time."