The search for Richard Scatchard, a 70-year-old man wanted for questioning in relation to the death of his girlfriend, 61-year-old Kelly Faiers, concluded with the discovery of his body in a caravan near Watchet, Somerset. Faiers had died in Minehead last October, leading to a murder investigation and a nationwide manhunt for Scatchard, fueled by a £10,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts. Despite the extensive search, Scatchard, who had been missing since October 16th and was known for his criminal history including sexual offences involving drugging victims, was found only miles away from where he was last seen.

The discovery followed a tip-off from the public, with the Avon and Somerset Police being alerted to the presence of a man’s body in a caravan. Although formal identification is pending, authorities believe the body to be Scatchard’s. The cause of his death is deemed unexplained at this stage, pending further investigations and a forensic post-mortem examination.

Scatchard’s previous convictions for drugging women and his subsequent disappearance after Faiers was found critically ill at his address had marked him as a serious risk, prompting warnings from the police regarding the danger he posed to women. The circumstances around Faiers’ death, initially treated as suspicious due to the inconclusive results of her post-mortem examination, and now Scatchard’s death, highlight the ongoing complexities in the investigation.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is conducting a separate inquiry concerning the police response to the incidents. As the investigation continues, efforts to support the families of both Scatchard and Faiers are being made by the authorities, who are also appealing to the public for any further information.