AN INQUEST has been opened into the death of an Ellesmere man whose body was discovered six months after he was reported missing.
Police have confirmed that Michael Anthony Ashton's body was found on December 16 in the grounds of Ellesmere College.
His initial disappearance had been reported on July 7 after the 81-year-old had last been seen outside his Church Street home at 7pm the previous day.
A police diving team using sonar equipment had scoured the Mere in Ellesmere as part of efforts to find Mr Ashton who had gone missing before, but had turned up safe and well.
Sniffer dogs and a police helicopter had all been deployed as part of efforts to find him, with police describing his behaviour in the days prior to his latest disappearance as “increasingly erratic.”
Shropshire coroner Mr John Ellery opened an inquest for evidence of identification before adjourning the hearing to a date to be fixed.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson has previously stated they do not believe anyone else was involved in Mr Ashton's death.