Pair Found In Pond Had Drowned

31st January 2012, 11:40

Two young men found dead in a pond near an Army barracks died from drowning, police have revealed.

The bodies are believed to be those of missing 17-year-old Hugo Wenn and Daniel Lloyd, understood to have been in his 20s.

The pair were discovered almost 10 hours apart in Reed Pond, near Howe Barracks in Canterbury, Kent, on Monday.

A 54-year-old man arrested on suspicion of their murders has now been released without charge, Kent Police said.

A spokesman said: ``Police investigating the unexplained deaths of two men in a pond in Canterbury have confirmed that the post-mortem examinations carried out on the men during the past 24 hours reveal that they both died from drowning.

``Officers are awaiting further toxicology results. The families of both men have been notified of the outcome of the post-mortem examinations.''

A 28-year-old man from Canterbury who was arrested at 9.30pm yesterday on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs remains in custody.

The dead pair were regularly seen busking in the Canterbury area and their deaths have caused an outpouring of grief.

Thousands of people have written messages of sympathy on Facebook and Twitter, and flowers have been left in the city centre in their memory.

The first body, understood to be Hugo, was spotted by a member of the public at around 12pm and the second was found by police divers at 9.40pm.

Tributes were paid to 6ft 3in ``gentle giant'' Hugo by friends and teachers at the Archbishop's School in Canterbury, which he left after sitting his GCSEs last summer.

He was described as an accomplished beatboxer who excelled in drama, sport and music at school.

He went missing last Friday, prompting his friends to launch Facebook and Twitter appeals to locate him.

He was supposed to have met friends at a pub in Canterbury but texted at 8pm, before they arrived, saying he was leaving.

He was seen walking along Canterbury High Street alone, beatboxing to himself. Police were later alerted to his disappearance.

His former headteacher, Michael Liddicoat, said there was a ``sense of complete shock at this loss'' at the school, adding: ``In many ways, Hugo was a gentle giant who was about 6ft 3in so you couldn't miss him around school. He was fantastic with the younger students and he will be missed.''

Formal identification of the two men is due to be completed tomorrow. On Facebook, more than 1,700 people joined a page set up in tribute to Mr Lloyd, titled RIP Daniel Lloyd.

One wrote: ``Easily the best busker ever!!! The streets won't be the same without you sharing your soul. RIP.''

Another person posted: ``You were such a great guy, always had a smile on your face and a merry tune to sing.

``I saw you last week and you gave me your usual grin from behind your guitar. Really can't believe you're gone. You will be very sorely missed.''

Reed Pond is on Ministry of Defence land but MoD officials ruled out any connection between the deaths and the armed forces.

An Army spokesman said: ``It is extremely sad news that two bodies have been discovered on the training area behind Howe Barracks in Canterbury.

``This piece of land is owned by Defence Estates and, while occasionally used by the Army, is open to the public.

``It is not thought that the deaths were in any way connected with HM Armed Forces.''