The body of missing man Jesus Moreno lay undiscovered for more than eight months because it was just outside the 500-metre police search area.
A police search team found Mr Moreno’s body on Friday on land close to the River Wharfe in the Harewood area.
He had been missing since August 1 last year when he got off a 36 bus from Leeds to Harrogate at Swindon Lane near Dunkeswick, just north of Harewood bridge.
The discovery of his body, close to the last sighting, came two weeks after West Yorkshire Police said it had “exhausted every possible line of enquiry”.
Asked why it had taken so long to find the body when it was so close to the last sighting, a police spokesperson said:
“Police can confirm the body of a man found in undergrowth on land close to the River Wharfe in the Harewood area on Friday has been identified as that of missing Jesus Moreno.
“A number of searches by specialist police search teams were undertaken in the Harewood area for Mr Moreno, as part of extensive enquiries conducted into his disappearance.
“The specialist search team initially set a search area of 500 metres radius from Jesus’ last known location. This area was searched with specialist resources.
“Mr Moreno’s body was found just over 250 metres outside that boundary and hidden under thick undergrowth, as part of ongoing work undertaken according to the wider search plan.”
The statement added that enquiries into the death remain ongoing but “there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances”.
Police images of Jesus Moreno
Piglove Brewing Co, the Leeds brewery Mr Moreno co-founded, said in a statement on social media:
“It is with great sadness that the Piglove family announces that our beloved Jesus’ remains have been found near Harewood bridge, the last place he was seen on the 1st of August 2022.
“Please be thoughtful to our staff and family during this challenging time. It has been a tough eight months for the business but your support through this time has meant the world to us.
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Police find body at Harewood in search for missing Jesus Moreno
Police investigating the disappearance of Jesus Moreno have found the body of a male.
The body was found by a police search team yesterday afternoon on land close to the River Wharfe in the Harewood area.
West Yorkshire Police announced the discovery in a statement this afternoon. It added there were no suspicious circumstances. The statement added:
“The family of Mr Moreno have been informed of this development and enquiries are ongoing to confirm the identity of the deceased.”
Mr Moreno, 41, who worked at a Leeds brewery, was last seen more than eight months ago in August 2022.
A poster in Harrogate appealing for help
He was spotted on CCTV catching a 36 bus to Harrogate at Leeds bus station at 6.10am on Monday, August 1.
He got off the bus at Swindon Lane near Dunkeswick, just north of Harewood bridge on the A61, at 6.39am.
He was then seen on CCTV near the bridge at 8.14am.
Today’s news comes two weeks after West Yorkshire Police said it had “exhausted every possible line of enquiry” and issued a fresh appeal for help.
Police had searched the countryside and river near where Mr Moreno was last seen.
Drones were used and the family even used a psychic to try to help.
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Police: All lines exhausted into missing man last seen on A61 near Harewood Bridge
Officers from West Yorkshire Police have said they have “exhausted every possible line of enquiry” into missing man Jesus Moreno.
Mr Moreno, 41, who worked at a Leeds brewery, was last seen eight months ago in August 2022.
The brewer was spotted on CCTV catching a Harrogate-bound 36 bus from Leeds bus station at 6.10am on Monday, August 1.
He got off the bus at Swindon Lane near Dunkeswick, just north of Harewood bridge on the A61, at 6.39am. He was then seen on CCTV near the bridge at 8.14am.
In a fresh appeal, Detective Inspector Ryan Malyk, who has overseen the missing person investigation, said the force had explored all possible lines of enquiry into Mr Moreno’s disappearance.
He said:
“We recently met with Jesus’ family to give them a detailed overview of the work that we have been carrying out to find him since he was reported missing.
“We are acutely aware that they are continuing to go through a really difficult time while his disappearance remains unresolved.
“It is completely out of character for him to go missing like this and to remain out of contact with his family and friends for such a long period of time.
“As it stands, we have explored and exhausted every possible line of enquiry to find him, and unfortunately that has not brought us any progress beyond the last confirmed sighting of him at Harewood Bridge.
“We remain committed to finding him and would welcome any new information that could assist us.”
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Mr Moreno was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, with the logo of his Piglove Brewing Co business on it, black jeans and carrying a black Vans rucksack with a chequered pattern on it.
Police said he was known to have previously visited nearby beauty spots on the River Wharfe at Netherby.
A new image of Jesus Moreno released by West Yorkshire Police.
Police search advisers oversaw a number of searches of the countryside surrounding where Mr Moreno was last seen.
Specialist marine and underwater search officers checked the surface of the River Wharfe down to Ulleskelf, North Yorkshire, and carried out underwater searches of specific locations along the waterway.
The force said detectives from Leeds District CID have conducted extensive enquiries over the time since he was reported missing, but had not yielded any new information on his whereabouts.
Anyone with information can call West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference 13220422334.
Searches continue for two men missing in Harrogate district since last yearSearches continue for two men who have been missing in the Harrogate district since last year.
Gavin Dhont, Ripon, and Jesus Moreno, Leeds, have both not been seen since late 2022.
Officers at both North Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Police have reissued appeals for any sightings of both men.
Mr Moreno, who worked at a Leeds brewery, has been missing for five months after last being seen in August 2022.
The brewer was spotted on CCTV catching a 36 bus from Leeds bus station at 6.10am on Monday, August 1.
He got off the bus at Swindon Lane near Dunkeswick, just north of Harewood bridge on the A61, at 6.39am. He was then seen on CCTV near the bridge at 8.14am.
Posters were put up in Harrogate looking for missing man Jesus Moreno.
However, searches of the area carried out by West Yorkshire Police have not resulted in any findings.
A force spokesperson told the Stray Ferret that Mr Moreno’s case remains “the subject of a high risk missing person investigation”.
They added:
“Officers from Leeds CID are continuing to support the family and give them a detailed overview of their enquiries so far.”
Anyone with information can call West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference 13220422334.
Ripon man missing for more than a month
North Yorkshire Police has reiterated an appeal for any information on Gavin Dhont, who has been missing from Ripon for more than a month.
Mr Dhont was last seen in the city on Tuesday, December 6 and officers said they are extremely worried for his welfare.
Police have carried out searches for the 45-year-old, including the use of police dogs and the police drone, but with no gain.
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He is known to enjoys walks in areas including the Hell Wath, Studley Roger, Studley Royal Park and along the River Ure. He also enjoys visiting Ripon Wetlands.
North Yorkshire Police Inspector, Ed Rogerson, said:
“We’re really grateful to everyone who has been in touch to support our search and we’re asking the public once again to please keep your eyes peeled for any sightings. Every piece of information reported to us is really valuable so do get in touch by calling 101 if you can help.
“We know Gavin enjoys walking in the local area so if you are out and about, please keep Gavin in mind. Thank you.”
Mr Dhont is described as of thin build with short dark brown hair.
Anyone who has seen him since he went missing or who believes they know his whereabouts is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police as a matter of urgency on 101, or call 999 in an emergency and quote either his name or reference 12220219012.
Search continues for missing man last seen on A61 near Harewood bridgeSearches are continuing for missing man Jesus Moreno who disappeared more than two weeks ago after catching a bus bound for Harrogate.
The brewer was spotted on CCTV catching a 36 bus from Leeds bus station at 6.10am on Monday, August 1.
He got off the bus at Swindon Lane near Dunkeswick, just north of Harewood bridge on the A61, at 6.39am. He was then seen on CCTV near the bridge at 8.14am.
Images released by West Yorkshire Police of missing man Jesus Moreno
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police today said there have been no further sightings of him since then and officers are continuing to appeal for information from anyone who may have seen him.
The 41-year-old’s family, friends and colleagues at Piglove Brewing Co have continued to post on social media to try to trace him. Posters have also appeared around Harrogate asking people to check their CCTV and dashcam footage from the Harewood area on Monday, August 1.
In a video posted to the company’s social media accounts, they said:
“We need to ask you now not just to think if you’ve seen him, but we need you to look at your CCTV throughout the week from Monday, August 1 all the way up to today.
“If you live anywhere near the Harewood bridge, anywhere near the A61, Netherby, Weeton, East Keswick, these types of places, we’re calling out for people now.
“We’ve got to get our brother home safe.”
Last Monday, a week after his disappearance, police said they were concerned for Jesus’s welfare and were going to begin searching the areas near where he was last seen.
Anyone with information can call West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference 13220422334.
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