Body found in search for missing gay man
Police have discovered the body of a man in Spain during a search for a gay holidaymaker who has been missing for over two weeks.
Kevin Hoare, 39, disappeared in the early hours of May 11 2006 after friends left him at the Organics Club, a gay bar in Sitges.
Mr Hoare, from Bognor Regis, failed to meet his brother at Gatwick Airport two days later and there has been no movement on his mobile phone or bank account.
Chief Inspector Brian Bracher said a man’s body was found in Sitges late last night, he said: “We are mindful that this may not be Kevin but we want to continue to seek any witnesses out there that we can. The main concern for us is Kevin’s wellbeing.”
Detective Inspector Phil Spencer, who is leading the investigation said: “Kevin is not the sort of person to just disappear without making any contact with his family, who he is extremely close to.
“We have been learning more and more about Kevin’s lifestyle from his family and friends and one thing is absolutely clear – this is totally out of character and Kevin is simply not the type of person to just vanish.
“Kevin had a good job, his own property, numerous friends and a close family – he was happy with life and had no reason to disappear. The fact that there has been no movement on his phone or bank account is making us increasingly concerned for his safety.
“There are a few items missing from Kevin’s hotel room, such as toiletries, but nothing that is helping us with our enquiries as to his whereabouts,” added DI Spencer. “The longer time goes on with no word from Kevin, the more concerned we are becoming that something serious has happened to him.”
Officers from Sussex are working with the Spanish authorities to trace him.
“Our enquiries so far have been extensive but we need something more,” said DI Spencer. “We appreciate people frequently go missing on holiday but Kevin isn’t the kind of person to leave his friends and family behind through choice. Something is wrong and we need to find out what it is. We are hoping to get as much publicity as possible which, in turn, we hope will lead to information about Kevin’s whereabouts.”
An autopsy will be held on the unidentified body later today.
Anyone with information, or who thinks they have seen Kevin in Sitges since May 14 2006, is asked to contact police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Delius.
