Tragic end to the hunt for party boy

The search for a teenager who disappeared from a beach party was called off early today after a body was found in a river.

Rory Unwin-Rose went missing in the early hours of Thursday after an all-night gathering with friends in Suffolk.

His family and friends had made an emotional appeal for the 15-year-old to return.

However, their hopes of him being found alive were dashed after a member of the public spotted a body in the water, not far from the beach where he disappeared.

Rory, from Cretingham, was a talented rugby player who had represented Suffolk at county level and was described by his parents as a sensitive and thoughtful teenager as well as a strong swimmer.

Pleading with him to come home last week they said: "Rory, if you've got yourself into a temper, if anyone has made you cross or angry or if you think you're in trouble, please don't worry about it.

"Just come home, we - Mum, Dad and Angus - miss you. We're looking forward to going on holiday soon ... please get in touch." Suffolk Police had praised Rory's friends for joining in the appeal for him to come home in time to enjoy a trip to London.

Becky Start, 14, was one of the group of friends at the dusk-' tildawn beach party last Wednesday night at Walberswick, next Southwold.

She said: "Hey Rory - it is your best buddies here - everyone is missing you. We all want to go to London but it won't be the same without you."

Another, 15-year-old Oliver Randall, had said: "Whatever has happened Rory, you don't have to worry - you are not in trouble. We all love you and we want you to come back."

But early today Suffolk Police confirmed the sad news that a body had been found and that their search and other investigations had been called off.

A spokesman said the body was seen in the river by a member of the public. "It was some distance downriver, approximately half way between Blythburgh and the sea entrance.

"While identification has yet to take place, police believe at this stage that it is the body of the missing 15-year-old Rory Unwin-Rose.

"It would appear at this stage there are no suspicious circumstances."

Police and the Lowland Search and Rescue Team, accompanied by a force helicopter, the coastguard and lifeboat crews had been searching for the teenager and had spoken to most of the 20 people who were at the party. They had been keen to trace two people seen in the area of the beach party between Wednesday and Thursday morning.

The first was a body boarder who was spotted by some of those at the party crossing the harbour towards Southwold late on Wednesday night.

The second man, described as "a tramp", approached the party to ask for a cigarette.