Missing After Christmas Party

Police have been searching a river after a man from Luton went missing during a work Christmas party in Essex.

Edward Gillespie, 38, was last seen in the early hours of Saturday 22 December 2012 at the Roydon Marina Hotel near Roydon Mill, Roydon, Essex.

When he failed to return to his home in Rosslyn Crescent, Luton, worried relatives reported him missing and Bedfordshire Police launched an investigation.

Mr Gillespie’s car was then found to be still at the hotel in Roydon and Essex Police started searching the area on the evening of Sunday 23 December.

The Essex Police marine unit and other specialist search teams have been out searching the River Stort, the riverbanks, the hotel and hotel grounds.

Chief Insp Nick Lee, who is leading the search said: “We are extremely concerned for Mr Gillespie’s welfare. He had been attending a company party at the hotel and was due to stay overnight before checking out on Saturday morning.

“His car and belongings are still at the hotel but there is no sign of Mr Gillespie. We want to hear from anyone who might have seen him, possibly walking around outside the hotel in the early hours of Saturday.”

Anyone with information about Mr Gillespie is asked to call police in Harlow on the non-emergency number 101.