Death probe becomes a murder hunt

CRAIG Wilcox, whose body was found at Dovestone

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POLICE have launched a murder hunt following the discovery of a Failsworth dad’s body at Dovestone Reservoir earlier this year.

Police were called when the body of 28-year-old Craig Wilcox, from Failsworth, was found at the Greenfield beauty spot on February 24. A post mortem examination couldn’t determine the cause of death.

Mr Wilcox had last been seen on January 6 at the home of relatives in Failsworth. A few days later his parents reported him missing. An investigation found that Mr Wilcox had confided to a friend he feared for his safety.

Following these inquiries, police are now treating his death as suspicious and have launched a murder inquiry.

Det Chief Insp Pete Marsh of the police’s major incident team said: “It was totally out of character for Craig to go missing. We have carried out inquiries and are now treating his death as suspicious.

“We are trying to piece together his movements from when he went missing in January to when his body was recovered. We are especially keen to hear from anyone who visited Dovestone from January 6 and either saw suspicious activity on that day or the days following or believe they saw a man matching Craig’s description in the area.”

Mr Wilcox was of slim build, around 5ft 10in and when last seen was wearing a grey hooded top and blue combat pants.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to call police on 0161-856 4711 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.