Body found in Great Ouse River in 1986 identified
A body found in a Buckinghamshire river more than 25 years ago has been identified.
The remains were exhumed from a cemetery in Fenny Stratford, near Milton Keynes, three weeks ago for DNA tests to be carried out.
An inquest in Milton Keynes confirmed they were the remains of Michael Walsh, formerly of Serpentine Court, Bletchley.
His body was found in the River Great Ouse at Olney, in December 1986.
Inquiries failed to identify him and the initial inquest in 1987 returned an open verdict.
He was 28 when he was last seen on 25 December 1985. He was reported missing in January 1986.
His family said in a statement: "Michael was a true gentlemen, who has been much missed by his family, partner, son and friends.
"We are pleased that after 26 years of not knowing what happened to Michael, we have finally found his body and would now like to take him to Ireland and bury him with his parents.
"It is a great relief to finally have closure."