Police concern for boyfriend of drowned teenager
Police investigating the death of a teenage girl found drowned on a Wirral beach have said they are "increasingly concerned" for her boyfriend's welfare.
Hayley Holmes, 17, from Birkenhead, was discovered dead near New Brighton promenade at about 07:00 BST on Monday.
Her boyfriend Robbie Crofts, 21, from New Brighton, has not been since Sunday evening, a police spokesman said.
Police believe a pair of sandals, a pair of trainers and a phone found on the beach belong to the couple.
Spent Sunday together
Det Insp Rachel Wilson said: "We are growing increasingly concerned for Robbie's wellbeing and would appeal for anyone who has seen him to urgently get in touch.
"We now know that Robbie and Hayley were together on Sunday night and had spent the day at the Mathew Street music festival in Liverpool before returning to Robbie's home in New Brighton for a short while.
"They were not seen by friends or family after around 8pm, but some of their belongings have been found on the beach, near to where Hayley's body was found.
"We are understandably very concerned about Robbie, as are his family, and we would appeal for anyone with any information to get in touch."
Mr Crofts is described as white, aged 21, of stocky build and about 5ft 8ins tall, with blue eyes and short black hair.
A post-mortem investigation found Hayley had died as a result of drowning.
Police are still trying to establish how the A-level student came to be in the water.
Stormy weather over the weekend made parts of the area treacherous.
On a Facebook page set up in memory of Hayley, her sister Keely, wrote: "Rest in peace my big sister.
"Such a shock, I couldn't believe it when Dad told me what happened I didn't want to believe it. Not going to be the same without you around, all the memories and laughs we had together.
"Gone at 17 is so young you still had the rest of your life ahead of you, you're such a wonderful person, I have always looked up to you and always will, you will never ever ever be forgotten."