Police find body in search for missing poet Gboyega Odubanjo who never arrived to perform at festival

Police have found a body in the search for missing poet Gboyega Odubanjo who never arrived to perform at a festival in Northamptonshire. 

Mr Odubanjo, 27, was scheduled to do a reading at the Shambala festival in Kelmarsh on Sunday August 27 but never arrived for his performance.

He was last seen at around 4am on Saturday August 26 at the event. Officers have been appealing for information about Gboyega, from Woolwich, south east London.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said today: ‘A body has sadly been found during the search for a 27-year-old man reported missing in Kelmarsh.

‘Police officers made the discovery shortly before 9am on Thursday, August 31, in the course of a specialised search of the area.

Pictured: Gboyega Odubanjo, 27, who is missing after not turning up to his performance at Shambala Festival

Organisers of Shambala Festival (pictured) which hosts performances by poets, musicians, comedians and speakers, asked anyone with information about Mr Odubanjo to contact the police

Organisers of Shambala Festival (pictured) which hosts performances by poets, musicians, comedians and speakers, asked anyone with information about Mr Odubanjo to contact the police

‘The man had been reported missing on Sunday, August 27, having last been seen at Shambala festival early the previous morning.

‘While formal identification has yet to take place, the man’s family has been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

‘There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.’

Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell said: ‘Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this very difficult time, and we would ask the media and members of the public to not contact them and respect their privacy.

‘We would like to thank all those involved in the search efforts, including the volunteer members of Northamptonshire Search and Rescue and the specialist search-trained officers from other forces who supported our efforts.

‘We would also like to thank all those who have supported our investigation by speaking to officers or getting in touch with information.

‘Officers from Northamptonshire Police will now prepare a file for the coroner.’

The missing persons enquiry was led by detectives from the Force’s CID.

He was last seen at around 4am on Saturday August 26 at the event

He was last seen at around 4am on Saturday August 26 at the event

Search efforts involved the use of police search dogs, specially-trained police search advisor officers, neighbourhood and response police officers, a police dive team, and volunteer members of Northamptonshire Search and Rescue, including their trained search dogs.

Gboyega’s best friend Tice Cin, 28, said on Wednesday his disappearance is ‘extremely out of character’

She said: ‘It’s extremely out-of-character and totally unlike him to not get in touch.

‘Crucially, he always rings his mum every day when he’s away at a festival.

‘And he was meant to be back for his dad’s birthday today. They’re a very close knit family.’

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk