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Police searching for missing Salford man Peter Baglin discover human remains

The remains have not been formally identified.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th March 2023

Officers searching for a man who went missing after going for a walk in Worsley have “sadly discovered human remains”.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed last night that, on Saturday 4 March at around 10:48am, officers from its Tactical Aid Unit who were conducting further search operations for missing man Peter Baglin in the area around the Bridgwater Canal in Boothstown have discovered human remains.

The remains have not been formally identified, GMP revealed.

However, the force did confirm that Mr Baglin’s next of kin has been informed of the discovery, and that specialist officers are “continuing to support the family and their loved ones”.

The death is currently being treated as “unexplained”, according to GMP, and enquiries are currently ongoing to establish the surrounding circumstances.

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Peter Baglin left home to go for a walk on the evening of Wednesday 28 December 2022, and was last seen on CCTV at a garage in Mosley Common near Worsley that same night – before his phone, hat, and headphones were found on a towpath beside the Bridgewater Canal the following day.

Peter’s wife, Michelle Baglin – who made a desperate plea for his return last month – reported him missing when he didn’t return home.

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In the two months since the 55-year-old was reported missing from what has been described as his “favourite walk”, extensive police searches have been carried out along the canal towpath, between the Moorings and Astley Point, and adjoining fields and woodland areas – including by teams specialising in mountain rescue, underwater searches, and drones.

Peter Baglin / Credit: Family Handout (via GMP)

Speaking on the discovery of the remains, Detective Inspector Michael Sharples of the GMP Salford District said: “Though we are not currently in a position to confirm this is Peter, our thoughts remain with his wife Michelle and his loved ones.

“We understand that the last two months have been extremely difficult for them and this continues to be a distressing time for all of Peter’s loved ones.

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“Search teams, made up of GMP personnel and colleagues from partner agencies have worked extensively to try and find Peter, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has assisted to date.”

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DI Sharples also added and confirmed that “enquiries will not stop until we have found the necessary answers for Peter’s loved ones, for our investigation and for coronial proceedings.”

Featured Image – David Dixon (via Geograph)