Body found in Ferndown search for missing 78-year-old man
Police searching for missing 78-year-old Graham from Ferndown have found a body in Badger's Walk, Dorset Police said. The discovery was reported around 3pm on Friday, 10 July 2026, after a two-week search. The body is believed to be Graham's. His family has been informed. The death is not being treated as suspicious, according to the Dorset Echo.
Key Takeaways
- Officers found a man's body in the Badger's Walk area of Ferndown at about 3pm on Friday, 10 July 2026.
- The body is believed to be that of Graham, 78, who was reported missing after being last seen on 26 June 2026.
- Dorset Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and Graham's family has been informed.
- Search teams spent two weeks looking for Graham with help from Dorset Search and Rescue, his family, and local residents.
- Superintendent Claire Phillips thanked everyone involved in the search and extended condolences to Graham's loved ones.
Who was Graham and when did he go missing?
Graham, 78, was a Ferndown man also known as Will, according to the Bournemouth Echo. He was reported missing after he was last seen on the morning of Friday, 26 June 2026.
Dorset Police said officers had been searching for Graham in Ferndown since he was reported missing. The force carried out extensive searches over the past two weeks before the discovery was made.
Where was the body found in Ferndown?
It was reported at around 3pm on Friday, 10 July 2026 that the body of a man had been found in the area of Badger's Walk, Ferndown. The Salisbury Journal reported that police confirmed the discovery during their ongoing search.
Police said the body is believed to be that of Graham. His family has been informed of the discovery.
How did the community help search for Graham?
Officers carried out extensive searches over the past two weeks, with assistance from Dorset Search and Rescue (DorSAR). Graham's family and members of the local community also supported the effort, according to Dorset Police.
The Dorset Echo, Bournemouth Echo, and Salisbury Journal all reported on the coordinated search operation. Superintendent Claire Phillips specifically thanked the family and local community for their support during the search period.
What did Dorset Police say about the death?
Dorset Police confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. Superintendent Claire Phillips said: "Our thoughts are very much with Graham's family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time."
She added: "I want to thank all those involved in our search efforts to find Graham over recent days as well as the family and members of the local community for the support they have given during this period."
For more coverage of missing-person investigations and police appeals across the UK, see our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries section. Full details were first reported by the Dorset Echo.