Tributes paid to the life of Robert Davies as body is found in river
The body of missing University of York student Robert Davies, 20, has been found in the River Ouse according to police sources, though it has not yet been formally identified.
The body was discovered by a member of the public on October 1 near the A64 road bridge just outside York. Inspector Nigel Slater said: “We now believe that the body recovered from the River Ouse is that of the missing Yorkshire student Robert Davies. A post-mortem examination has been completed and while the cause of death is still to be ascertained it is not believed to be suspicious.” A formal identification of the body has yet to take place and may not be possible until sometime next week, according to police.
Davies’ family and friends have begun arrangements for a funeral, which will take place in Bury, his hometown outside Manchester, on either October 12 or 15. The University has arranged a coach to take students wishing to attend and return them to York later that night.
The discovery of the body comes at the end of an eight-day search for the third-year Chemistry student, who went missing after a night out with friends on Saturday, September 22. Both the River Foss and the River Ouse were searched by police and fire crews. An RAF helicopter was brought in to aid in the search.
The tragedy comes just under a year after the death of third-year Archaeology student Robert Ailwood, 22, who drowned in the River Foss after a night out with friends in York. An inquest later found that Ailwood’s death was alcohol related.
Davies was last seen by door staff outside Ziggy’s nightclub on Micklegate at approximately 12.38 am. Davis, who had been previously been drinking in Monty’s and the Priory, was refused entry to the club on grounds of intoxication, according to Ziggy’s management. Police confirmed that they had reviewed the footage taken from the nightclub’s cameras and agreed with the door staff’s assessment that Davies was heavily intoxicated. One of Davies’ friends was taken away in an ambulance, according to door staff.
In the footage, Davies is seen arriving at the club with a glass taken from the previous bar. The glass was later found by police further down Micklegate, according to Ziggy’s management. Police have refused to comment on this detail, saying it is part of an “ongoing investigation.”
Before attempting to enter the nightclub, Davies had told friends that he intended to return to his house on Heslington Lane, where he never arrived. A police spokesman said: “His normal route would have taken him over Ouse Bridge to Kings Staithe, along the River Ouse to Fulford Road and on through Hospital Fields or Maple Grove to Heslington Lane.” Police hypothesised that he may have gone to another bar instead of returning straight home.
Davies’ parents held an emotional press conference on September 28, several days before the discovery of the body. Davies’ mother Kim said: “He was on top of the world. I want to appeal to anyone who thinks they might have seen him to contact us. I want to hold my son again, I want him back.” She added: It’s as though he has just been plucked…just taken.”
A co-ordinated search of the University by police and ground staff checked over 4,000 rooms to see if Davies had returned to campus to seek shelter. Members of the public were also urged by police to check their sheds and gardens.
Davies’ family has prepared a statement but will not release it until the body of has been formally identified. The University has released a statement saying “Although there has been no formal identification as yet, we understand that the indications are that the body discovered in the River Ouse is Robert’s. Our thoughts are with his family at this extremely distressing time. The Department of Chemistry, and the University as a whole, is offering support to his friends here.” YUSU has prepared a statement but have declined to release it until the body has been formally identified.
