Body found in search for wanted Somerset sex offender
Richard Scatchard disappeared after a woman was found dead at his home last year
Last updated 5th Apr 2024
Police in Somerset have found a body, believed to be that of wanted man Richard Scatchard.
Scatchard, 70, has been wanted by Avon and Somerset (AS) Police since October 2022 in connection with the death of Kelly Faiers, who's body was found at his home.
A convicted sex offender who had been known in the past to drug his victims, a ÂŁ10,000 reward had been offered for information leading to his arrest.
In a statement released this afternoon a spokesperson for the police said formal identification has not yet taken place, but they believe the body, found inside a caravan near Cleeve Hill in Watchet, is Scatchard.
Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Kelly’s family have been informed of the latest development and we will keep them, and Richard Scatchard’s family, updated as our enquiries progress.
“A forensic post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course, but we believe the man’s death occurred some time ago.
"Until that has been completed we will be treating the man’s death as unexplained, albeit we are not aware of any suspicious circumstances at this time.
“We would like to thank those people who have responded to the appeals for information we have issued over the past five-and-a-half months and will continue to update the public as our enquiries progress.”
Back in January AS Police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over their handling of Kelly Faiers death and Scatchard's disappearance.
It followed a formal complained from Kelly's family.
With links to Cornwall and South Wales, Scatchard was added to Crimestoppers 'Most Wanted' list.