Body of 16 year-old Ellis Downes who went swimming in Thames is found by volunteers

Body of Ellis Downes found last night
Downes family

The body of a 16 year-old boy who went missing after swimming in the Thames was found by a team of volunteer divers last night.

Ellis Downes disappeared after swimming with friends in the River Thames near Culham in Oxfordshire on Saturday.

Thames Valley police initially launched an investigation into the incident, which was then scaled-down, according to the Downes family.

Launching their own search, the Downes family along with volunteers from divers Specialist Group international found Ellis’ body last night at around 11pm close to where he went missing.

His heartbroken sister, Alex Downes, 19, posted on Facebook: "There are no words to explain how I'm feeling right now, I thought I would wake up and it would of just all been a terrible nightmare.

"My heart aches so badly it hurts, a massive part of it is missing, all I have now are the happy memories of the cheeky, loveable, handsome young man I was proud to call my brother, and I will cherish those memories forever.

“Ellis, I’m so sorry we didn’t find you sooner but I hope you would be proud of me for doing everything I could to get you back, I was never ever going to give up on you.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesman confirmed the death is currently being treated as unexplained but is not believed to be suspicious.

He added that though formal identification has not taken place, the body is believed to be that of Ellis Downes.

Local policing area commander for South and Vale, superintendent Rory Freeman, said: “Our thoughts are with Ellis’ family at this very difficult time.”

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