Police investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy found in a river are appealing for help to trace three people who were seen walking close to where he was last seen.
Jonty Evans was last seen wandering along Waterlode in Nantwich, Cheshire at 12.54am on September 1.
He was later seen crossing the road walking into Mill Island, a park situated next to the River Weaver. The teen was reported missing and his body was found in the River Weaver the following day.
Police investigating Jonty’s death have now released CCTV images of three people they want to speak to.
They include a couple who were seen entering Mill Street at 12.53am, and a man who exited onto Waterlode before walking toward Nantwich town centre at 12.59am.
A CCTV image of a couple police wish to speak to over the death of 16-year-old Jonty Evans
Police also want to speak to this man who left Mill Island at 12.59am and walked in the direction of Nantwich town centre
Jonty was last seen wandering along Waterlode in Nantwich, Cheshire at 12.54am on September 1
Officers say they are attempting to establish how Jonty entered the water and believe the people seen in the CCTV images may hold ‘vital information’ about what happened.
Two 16-year-old boys were previously arrested on suspicion of assault but have since been eliminated from the investigation.
Detective Inspector Nigel Parr, of the Major Investigation Team, said: ‘Our investigation into how Jonty entered the water remains ongoing and, as part of further enquiries, we are asking anyone who may have seen him in the Waterlode area of Nantwich between 12.30am and 2.30am on Saturday 31 August or has captured him on any CCTV, dashcam or ring doorbell footage to please get in touch.
‘As well as this, I would also like to ask anyone who has any information that may help officers in understanding the circumstances surrounding Jonty’s death to please come forward.’
Detective Inspector Nigel Parr, of the Major Investigation Team, said: ‘Enquiries into piecing together Jonty’s movements in the hours that led to him entering the River Weaver near Riverside, Nantwich, have been ongoing since he was found.
‘Our investigation has led us to discover that Jonty was last seen at around 12.54am on Saturday 31 August, walking along Waterlode, before he crossed the road and walked down Mill Island, near the junction of Mill Street.
‘We have also found that, at around 12.53am, two people were seen to have entered Mill Island.
‘We believe that these people may hold crucial information and, as part of our ongoing enquiries, we are looking to identify them.
‘If you know the identity of any of these people, or have any information regarding them, please contact us. We would also like to appeal directly to the people pictured to get in touch.’
Anyone with any CCTV, dashcam, Ring doorbell footage or any information relating to this incident can submit it to police directly via MIPP.
Alternatively, information can also be passed on to Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website, quoting IML-1907900.
