THE body of a missing teenager has been found in a river as his devastated family pay tribute to their “beautiful son”.

Joseph Porch, 19, vanished on April 22 and was last spotted in Stockton-on-Tees near the River Tees.

Cleveland Police said the teenager’s body was tragically recovered from the river on Wednesday morning.

The death is not being treated as suspicious with a file being prepared for the Coroner.

Joseph was last seen on CCTV near Scotswood House at around 4am last Friday before cops launched a search operation.

Joseph’s parents said yesterday: “We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful son.

“We will forever love him and be proud of him.

“Special thanks to Cleveland Police, Northumbria Police Diving Unit, Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service and Tees River Rescue in their devoted efforts to locate him.

“We’d like to thank our family and friends for their support and would now ask for some time for our family to take in this tragedy and remember our son at this difficult time.”

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said on Wednesday: “Sadly, during the search for missing 19-year-old Joseph Porch (also known as Joey), his body was located this morning (Wednesday April 29) in the River Tees in Stockton.

“Formal identification has been carried out this afternoon.

“Our thoughts remain with Joseph’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.”

Joseph Parker, 19, went missing on April 22Credit: NNP

Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38972454/body-missing-teen-found-river-devastated-family-heartbreaking-tribute/

Body of missing boy, 19, found in River Tees as heartbroken family pay tribute

Joseph Porch had been missing since Wednesday, April 22, and was last seen on CCTV in the Scotswood House area, in Thornaby, near the River Tees in Stockton

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The body of Joseph Porch has been found(Image: North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)

A body has been pulled from a river in the search for a missing teenager.

Joseph Porch, 19, had been missing since Wednesday, April 22, and was last seen on CCTV in the Scotswood House area of Stockton-on-Tees, in Thornaby, near the River Tees.

Cleveland Police has now confirmed that during the search his body was found in the River Tees on Wednesday morning, April 29. Formal identification has now been carried out.

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Joseph had been missing for a week(Image: Cleveland Police)

His parents said in a statement how they were “devasted” at the loss of their “beautiful son” while thanking the rescue services for their efforts to find Joseph.

“We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful son. We will forever love him and be proud of him,” they said. “Special thanks to Cleveland Police, Northumbria Police Diving Unit, Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service and Tees River Rescue in their devoted efforts to locate him.

“We’d like to thank our family and friends for their support and would now ask for some time for our family to take in this tragedy and remember our son at this difficult time.”

Cleveland Police said that the death is not being treated as suspicion and a file is being prepared for a coroner.

The force said: “Sadly, during the search for missing 19-year-old Joseph Porch (also known as Joey), his body was located this morning (Wednesday 29th April) in the River Tees in Stockton.

“Formal identification has been carried out this afternoon. Our thoughts remain with Joseph’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.”

Many people have taken to social media to express their sadness at the news. One person wrote on Facebook: “Thoughts and Prayers to the family, may he R.I.P.” Another comment read: “So so sad my heartfelt condolences to family and friends, fly high forever young beautiful boy.”

And a further person wrote: “Heartbreaking sending our Condolences to his family/ friends another young life gone far to soon Rip young man.”

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/missing-joseph-porch-found-body-37089560