Richard Scatchard: Body in caravan confirmed to be wanted sex offender

Police discovered the body of Richard Scatchard in a caravan in Watchet

The body of a wanted sex offender who has been missing for months has been found in a caravan, police confirmed.

Avon and Somerset Police were called to the scene in Watchet, Somerset, at about 14:00 GMT on Thursday.

The 70-year-old was wanted over the murder of Kelly Faiers at his home in Minehead on 15 October 2023.

In a statement, Ms Faiers' family said: "It's come to an end, we have a conclusion but no closure which we are left to live with."

Avon and Somerset Police had been searching for Scatchard, from Minehead, who had not been seen since 16 October 2023, despite about 100 unconfirmed sightings.

Police confirmed the body discovered inside a caravan is Richard Scatchard

Ms Faiers, 61, from Weston-super-Mare, had met Scatchard on a dating app, and on 14 October they went out together for the evening.

She was pronounced dead by paramedics after Scatchard called the ambulance service to his home in Blenheim Road at 04.15 GMT on 15 October, reporting Ms Faiers as critically ill.

Police went to the property and spoke to Scatchard, but when they returned the following day he had disappeared.

A post-mortem examination determined the cause of Ms Faiers' death as inconclusive, and her death is now being treated as a murder investigation.

Kelly Faiers was in a relationship with Richard Scatchard

Det Supt Gary Haskins, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "Both Kelly's family and Richard Scatchard's family were notified after the body was found earlier this week.

"We have now informed both families that the body recovered has been confirmed as Scatchard.

"While it is apparent Scatchard died some time ago, the forensic post-mortem examination proved inconclusive in determining the cause of death.

"Therefore, as is routine in such cases, we continue to treat the death as unexplained, albeit we are not aware at this time of there being any suspicious circumstances."

Kelly Faiers' family say they feel "angry" and left without closure

The family of Ms Faiers have expressed their frustration at the development.

"We are angry, as him being dead could have been avoided," they said.

"It's come to an end, we have a conclusion but no closure which we are left to live with.

"Ultimately our loving mum, an innocent lady, was left without the justice she deserved."

A mandatory referral will be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, due to the police's prior contact with the 70-year-old at the scene of Kelly's death last October, shortly before he disappeared.