Police investigating the disappearance of Rick Maher from Chippenham have confirmed a body found in the river on Saturday is that of the 44-year-old.
It was found by specialist divers in the water behind the Olympiad leisure centre at about 12.15pm on Saturday November 5th.
In a statement, Wiltshire Police said:
"We are now able to confirm that formal identification has taken place and the body is that of 44-year-old old Richard Maher, known as Rick, from Wentworth Close in Chippenham."
Mr Maher was reported missing to police on Thursday, November 3rd 2011, after leaving The Brunel pub in Chippenham the night before.
He was last seen on CCTV, walking past the taxi rank towards the town centre.
It is believed he would have then taken the footpath alongside the river to walk home.
Police say Rick's death is not currently being treated as suspicious, but enquiries are on-going and a post mortem examination will take place in the coming days before a file is prepared for HM Coroner for Swindon and Wiltshire.
Meanwhile, officers are asking anyone who was in the area of the Town Bridge or Monkton Park between 10:30pm on Wednesday and 7am on Thursday to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Mr Maher was described as white, 5’10" tall and of slim build with dark, greying hair.
He was last seen wearing jeans, a green jacket with a black hooded top underneath and black magnum boots. He also had tattoos on both his back and front.
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