Police investigate after mans body discovered in River Medway
Officers are trying to uncover the circumstances surrounding Charlie Saywell's death
Last updated 13th Mar 2024
Information is sought to identify the locations a man visited in Medway on the evening prior to his death.
Charlie Saywell was confirmed deceased after his body was recovered from the River Medway, near Main Gate Road, Chatham at 10.46am on Tuesday 5 March 2024.
The 25-year-old soldier had been socialising with friends during the previous evening before taking a local taxi to his address in Brompton.
Instead of going into his accommodation it is thought he chose to take a walk into Chatham town centre between 12.10am and 2.40am.
Officers understand Charlie walked past Primark in Chatham High Street before he visited a fast-food outlet. He may have mistakenly got into an unidentified car nearby, where it is reported he was assaulted by the driver and suffered facial injuries.
Detective Sergeant Karen Caulfield said: ‘While we do not have specific information about where Charlie went between 12.10am and 2.40am, he had a phone conversation before his death which indicated he may have suffered an assault in the town during that period.
‘We are appealing to anyone who may have seen Charlie walking in the Gillingham and Chatham areas during these times. We are particularly keen to hear from anybody who saw him in a fast-food outlet or involved in an altercation in or near to a car.
’At this stage we are not treating Charlie’s death as suspicious, however, it is important we understand where he visited and what happened to him prior to his tragic death.’
Mr Saywell was last seen wearing a dark navy coloured short sleeved t-shirt, khaki coloured cargo trousers and white trainers.
Charlie’s mother, Victoria Brown, said: ‘If you have witnessed my son Charlie’s movement during the early hours of that morning and can offer any information, however small, please can you contact Kent Police so our family can have some answers about what happened to him.’
Anyone with information is asked to call the Kent Police appeal line on 01634 792209, quoting reference 46/36226/24.
Drivers with dashcam and residents or businesses with private CCTV are also asked to check for relevant footage.