Body Found in Portugal in Joel Eldridge Disappearance Case
Portuguese police investigating the mysterious disappearance of Joel Eldridge from Bexhill have made a grim discovery. A body was found near the town of Picha, believed to be Joel, 29, who vanished after moving to Portugal in early 2018.
Joel’s Last Moves in Portugal
Joel traveled to Portugal in January 2018, claiming he was working on a house near Coimbra. He lived in Macieira near Serta and was last heard from by family in mid-July. On 26 July, a UK-based firm received an inquiry from Joel about possible work back in the UK.
Concerned, Joel’s disappearance was reported to Sussex Police in late August 2018. A public appeal for information followed on 31 August, and his parents made a fresh appeal with police support on Joel’s 30th birthday in March this year.
Cross-Border Murder Probe Underway
Detectives from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team have been working hand-in-hand with Portugal’s Judicial Police. The teams, aided by the National Crime Agency’s international liaison officers, have visited Portugal multiple times to coordinate the investigation.
Portuguese police, leading the probe, have treated the case as murder from the start. Detective Chief Inspector Chris Friday said:
“Our enquiries, supporting the Portuguese investigators, gave us cause to believe Joel came to harm at the hands of others while in Portugal. We understand further tests are needed to confirm the body is Joel’s, but we suspect it is. We have updated his family and our thoughts are with them at this sad time.”
Police Appeal for Information
The Portuguese Judicial Police continue to lead the murder inquiry. Officers urge anyone in the UK who has heard from Joel since July 2018, or knows anything about him or anyone linked to him in the UK or Portugal, to come forward.
Contact police online or call 101 quoting Operation Lyra.
