Overview
- Police said a man’s body was discovered on December 25 in woodland off Lees Lane in Dalton and is believed to be missing 19-year-old student Tom Dingle, with his family informed.
- Officers are not treating the death as suspicious and confirmed that specially trained staff are supporting the family as a file is prepared for HM Coroner.
- Tom, a first-year at Lancaster University’s Bowland College, was last seen in the early hours of December 13 on Mill Lane in Appley Bridge, prompting a two‑week search and public appeals.
- Lancaster University and Bowland College issued condolences, requested privacy for the family, and directed students and staff to dedicated support resources during the winter break.
- During the search, Tom’s mother said he had plans for the future but had been in a vulnerable state of mind following a recent bereavement.