Appeal for help piecing together final movements of 73-year-old Ribchester man

Stewart Carysforth, from Ribchester, was reported missing from home at around 7 pm on October 16th (Sunday) after his family became concerned as to his whereabouts.

Mr Carysforth was known to enjoy walks in the area so a multi-agency search was launched, focusing on the area around his home.

Sadly his body was located in the River Ribble, less than a kilometre from his house on Monday afternoon.

Det Insp Nicola Bithell, from Blackburn CID, said: “First and foremost our thoughts go out to Mr Carysforth’s family at this incredibly sad time.

“We are now determined to give them some answers and are trying to piece together his final movements so we can work out what led to his death.

“It appears Mr Carysforth may have been fishing shortly before he died so somebody may have seen him close to the river, or may have seen him making his way there from his home.

“If you have any information that could help us piece together his final hours, please make contact with us as soon as possible.

“We would like to stress that we are not treating his death as suspicious at this time. It appears that Mr Carysforth may have been taken ill, or that this was a tragic accident”

Mr Carysforth is described as white, 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, with grey hair. He was wearing a grey jumper, green cords and a checked shirt. He was wearing green Wellington boots.

We would like to hear from anybody who saw him between October 15th (Saturday) and October 17th (Monday).

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting log number 1231 of October 16th.

A file will be passed to the coroner in due course.