Police confirm human remains found in park are those of missing Warwick man
Human remains found in a Coventry park earlier this year are those of a missing Warwick man, Warwickshire Police has confirmed.
"Extensive tests" were carried out to confirm the remains are those of Stefan Watkins, who was first reported missing on 6 May 2023.
The force made the discovery in Charterhouse Fields on February 1 2025 after a wide search in the area.
Having originally arrested a woman on suspicion of murder, Warwickshire Police says it is "not treating his death as suspicious".
"We are sad to confirm human remains found earlier this year are those of missing Warwick man Stefan Watkins," a police statement said.
"Specially trained officers discovered the remains at Charterhouse Fields in Coventry on 1 February.
"Extensive tests were carried out on the remains with the results concluding they belonged to Stefan, who was 47 at the time of his disappearance.
"We are not treating his death as suspicious. Stefan's family has been informed, and a file will be passed to the coroner."
Having left his house in Warwick during a street party to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, Mr Watkins was spotted at around 1.30am on Sunday 7 May 2023 at the junction of Vauxhall Street and Berry Street in Hillfields, Coventry.
Last year the force announced the enquiries had become a murder investigation, and a £20,000 reward was offered for information.
A woman was previously arrested on suspicion of murder as part of the investigation, but was released with no further action.
Police lead an extensive search of the fields near Blue Coat School in February.
Speaking about the update, Detective Inspector Gareth Unett, who led the investigation, said: "We'd like to thank everyone who helped us by sharing our appeals as we tried to find Stefan and we know his disappearance struck a real chord in the local area.
"Since Stefan was reported as a missing person, we've continually supported his family and strived to get answers for them.
"It's been a complex and lengthy investigation, and although this is not the outcome any of us would have wanted, hopefully his loved ones should now be able to start to come to terms with what has happened."
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