Body found in search for teenager

Simon Everitt went missing in the Great Yarmouth area on 7 June

Police investigating the suspected abduction and murder of a 17-year-old boy believe they have found his body.

Simon Everitt, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, was last seen near the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, on the evening of Saturday 7 June.

Officers found the body in woodland at Mautby, where they believed Simon may have been assaulted. Post-mortem tests are due to take place.

A 40-year-old woman has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

The forensic search at the scene continues and is expected to last several more days, police said.

Details surrounding the cause of death will not be known until the post-mortem examination has taken place.

'Missed and loved'

Det Ch Insp Steve Strong, of Norfolk Police, said: "I am as satisfied as I can be at this stage that the body we have located in Mautby is that of Simon Everitt. The family have been notified of the discovery." The teenager's bicycle was found at nearby Corton.

Detectives believe Simon Everitt was assaulted some time after 2300 BST on 7 June.

The woman who has been re-arrested remains in police custody.

In a statement, Simon's family said: "Norfolk Police family liaison officers this morning broke to us news of the discovery of the body believed to be our son Simon Everitt.

"We feel at this time the news is upsetting and we are going to have to wait to find out if this body is Simon.

"Simon is missed and loved and he needs to know we still hold him in our hearts and thoughts. Until we are told differently, our posters stay up and we will still be looking for our son."