Specialist diver Peter Faulding, best known for his involvement in the Nicola Bulley case, has joined the urgent search for missing 21-year-old Sebastian Sailes in Chippenham, Wiltshire.
Faulding, CEO of Specialist Group International (SGI), arrived with his team this morning to support efforts to locate Sebastian, who was last seen twelve days ago on Thursday 27 February, after leaving The Black Horse pub in Chippenham town centre at around 11.30pm.
Sebastian is believed to have entered Lovers Walk and followed the path along the River Avon, heading towards his home in Notton, near Lacock. However, he never arrived, prompting a multi-agency search operation, with the river now a central focus.
Specialist Group International Joins Search Efforts
At around 10am today (Monday), five red SGI rescue vehicles were spotted responding along the A350 in Chippenham before arriving near the River Avon. Peter Faulding was seen walking along the riverbank assessing the scene before suiting up in water rescue gear and assembling his team.
While Wiltshire Police officers are present in the area, the SGI team is operating independently, with Avon and Somerset Police dive units also in the water conducting parallel searches.
Faulding became a household name during the Nicola Bulley investigation, where he controversially claimed to have located her within minutes using specialist sonar equipment. A later College of Policing review said aspects of his involvement had posed challenges to that investigation, though Faulding has defended his expertise and methods.
Family and Police Continue Public Appeal
Sebastian’s family issued a heartfelt public statement on 5 March, saying:
“We are a very close family and are all extremely anxious and praying for the safe return of our much-loved son Sebastian.
We are unbelievably grateful for the efforts of the police and all the amazing volunteers. The public support has been heart-warming, and we appeal to anyone who may have information to contact Wiltshire Police immediately, in the hope that our beautiful boy is returned to us safe and sound.”
Appeal for Footage and Witnesses
County Chief Inspector Ben Huggins also renewed the appeal for information, noting that while the search remains focused around the river, police are also exploring other routes Sebastian may have taken, including Rowden Hill and surrounding new housing estates.
“If you live in that area and you have any Ring Doorbell footage from the night of 27 February, please check it for any sign of him.
Delivery drivers or taxi drivers who were out in Chippenham around that time are also urged to review any dash cam footage they may have.”
He added thanks to Wiltshire Search and Rescue and other agencies who have supported the extensive search operation.
How You Can Help
Anyone with information about Sebastian Sailes’ whereabouts is urged to contact Wiltshire Police immediately.
