An urgent search is underway for Sebastian Sailes, a 21-year-old student at the University of West England, who has been missing since the 27th of February.
Last seen leaving the Black Horse Pub in New Road, Chippenham at around 11.30pm, Sebastian was seen on CCTV heading towards an area called Lovers Walk, which sits on the bank of the river Avon.
He is thought to have headed south along Avon Valley Walk, assumed to be heading to his home in the village of Notton, a walk of around 3.4 miles.
Described as 5ft 10 and of a slim build, he was last seen wearing a grey jumper, blue jeans and a beige fur-line jacket. Sebastian has light brown to blonde hair with a long fringe and was wearing white Adidas trainers at the time.
The UWE student’s disappearance has been described as “out of character” as police are growing “extremely concerned for his welfare.”
Wiltshire police are asking locals to send in any CCTV or dashcam footage they may have from the area and appealing for information that could lead to Sebastian’s whereabouts.
A search group of more than 60 volunteers are helping to search the riverbank area, with specialist search dogs also dispatched to the scene.
Sebastian’s family has spoken out, renewing calls for information and thanking those involved in the search.
They said, “We are a very close family and are all extremely anxious and praying for the safe return of our much-loved son Sebastian. We are unbelievably grateful for the efforts of the police and all the amazing volunteers.
“The public support has been heart-warming, and we appeal to anyone who may have information to contact Wiltshire Police immediately, in the hope that our beautiful boy is returned to us safe and sound.”
The body of a 70–year–old man has been found during the search, with both his and Sebastian’s families being informed. This death is thought to be unrelated to Sebastian’s disappearance.
Public concerns have been undoubtedly raised concerning the safety of young men in the area after the case of missing Luis Piovesana in Bristol on Friday (28th February), after a body was found in the river on Monday (3rd March). The disappearance of Jack O’Sullivan also happened in Bristol almost exactly a year ago.
In regards to Sebastian’s disappearance, Chief Inspector Ben Huggins said: “We are currently conducting multiple lines of enquiries to locate him.
“We are working with Wiltshire Search and Rescue and we currently have extensive specialist resources in place to find him, so we would ask the public not to speculate and to allow us to conduct our enquiries.”
If you have any information regarding Sebastian or his whereabouts, get in contact with Wiltshire Police by calling 101 and quoting the reference 54250025466.
Featured image via Chippenham Police.
