Further enquiries continue after body found in Bournemouth
Detectives are continuing their enquiries into the discovery of a body in a pond in Bournemouth.
At around 2.30pm on Monday 24 March 2025, the body of a man was found in a pond off Chaseside in the Littledown area. Formal identification has not yet taken place, but the body is believed to be that of 55-year-old Richard Bentley who was reported missing in November 2024.
An investigation was launched by detectives into the death, which is being treated as unexplained.
A 24-year-old man from Bournemouth was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue. The arrested man was believed to be known to Richard Bentley.
A cordon remains in place at the pond as further searches and examinations are conducted.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of MCIT, said: “We are continuing to update the family of Richard Bentley and our thoughts remain with them through this difficult time.
“An initial post-mortem examination will be carried out to help us establish the cause of death and detailed enquiries will be continuing over the coming weeks.
“We made an arrest to assist us with gathering as much information as we can, while providing legal protection to the individual, and he has been released on conditional bail as we carry out further investigative activity.
“I would like to reiterate my plea to anyone with information about the disappearance of Richard Bentley to please contact Dorset Police. Any detail, no matter how small, may help us in piecing together the circumstances of his sad death.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240176625. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
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