Mark Brennan: Body of British man reported missing before Christmas found on yacht near Jamaica

Mark Bennan, 42, from South Shields.
Rebecca Speare-Cole30 January 2020

The body of a British man, who was reportedly sailing solo around the world, was found aboard a 30ft yacht off the coast of Jamaica.

Mark Brennan, 42, from South Shields, was reported missing on December 21 and his boat the Avrio was last spotted near the Jamaican coast.

Port Antonio police in Jamaica identified the body as Mr Brennan after the yacht was found around 72 nautical miles north-west of Ocho Rios, according to local reports.

They are said to be investigating the discovery.

Northumbria Police confirmed a 42-year-old man from South Shields was reported missing on December 21 after he had set sail to the Caribbean from the UK.

“Enquiries have been ongoing to trace him, and we have since been made aware that authorities in Jamaica have recovered a body on a boat," a spokesman said.

“A formal identification process is ongoing but it is suspected that the body is that of the South Shields man.

“The relevant authorities in Jamaica are carrying out enquiries to establish the cause of death and we will continue to support their investigation in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

“The man’s family are being offered support by officers and they have requested that their privacy is respected at this time.”

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