Inquest opened into death of St Neots postman Darren Willis

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/259423 ... en-willis/

An inquest has been opened into the death of a "much-loved" postman who was found dead after going missing for almost five months.

Darren Willis was reported missing from his home in Duck Lane, St Neots, on June 9 last year, prompting extensive searches.

Tragically, the postman's body was recovered by police on November 5 after officers revisited an area in Eynesbury.

Area coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Elizabeth Gray opened the 53-year-old's inquest at Vantage House, in Huntingdon, today (Tuesday March 17).

The brief hearing heard how Mr Willis' body was discovered "at the location where he was last seen".

Cambridgeshire Police released a CCTV image of the last known sighting of the postman on June 25, with a number of unconfirmed sightings reported.

The last known sighting was from just before 7am on June 9, on a pathway connecting Willow Bridge and Shakespeare Road in St Neots.

The search for Mr Willis would widen to Bedfordshire, according to officers searching for the father-of-three.

Speaking to The Hunts Post in November last year, Mr Willis' widow, Sarah, paid tribute to her "absolute world".

She said: "Our world fell apart when we received the news my husband and daddy to our three amazing children had passed away.

"Everyone that properly knew Darren knew he was a private man. His world was his three children and me.

"He would have hated the social media attention he was getting but would also know I would have done anything to get him home."

Mrs Willis, who was married to the beloved postie for 17 years, thanked the public for their support and for "never giving up hope for us".

"He was a thankful man, and he would want me to thank everyone who shared posts, went looking and kept his face present," she said.

"More importantly he would want me to thank people that have helped his three children and me through this cruel time."

Ms Gray did not reveal a provisional cause of death and confirmed that it remains "unascertained".

The coroner adjourned the hearing for an inquest to resume on June 16.