Body of British hiker found in Swiss Alps three months after he went missing

The family of a British hiker who went missing in Switzerland has confirmed his body has been found.

Aidan Roche, 29, an offshore chemical engineer from Middlesborough, was found in the Grindelwald area close to where he was walking on the Eiger Trail.

His brother, Connor Roche, said in a Facebook post that Aidan’s body was found by police near the trail.

“The news has hit us all hard, even with this outcome on our minds over the last few months,” he said.

“On behalf of my entire family I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped us through all of this. The outpouring support from so many people has got us through all of the uncertainty and anguish and shows just how loved Aidan was.”

Mr Roche was last heard from on June 22 after he went on a two-week solo camping trip. He was due home two days before he went missing.

Authorities began searching for him amid online appeals for help to find him from family and friends. His van was found at a campsite in the days after he went missing. The last photo of Aidan placed him near the village of Grindelwald.

An online fundraising appeal raised more than £30,000 to help fund the search for him.

Mr Roche was described by his friend Beth Taylor as having “the biggest heart”.

In his Facebook statement Mr Roche’s brother thanked everyone who shared Aidan’s pictures and donated to help find him.

“All of this helped to bring him home to us,” he said.