March 16, 2018 2.55 pm This story is over 72 months old

Investigation over police actions before missing teen found dead

He was found close to where a taxi had dropped him off.
Liam Toner. Photo: Facebook

An investigation has been launched into the way police reacted to disappearance of a Lincolnshire teenager who was later found dead.

Liam Toner, aged 19, was reported missing by his family on the morning of 16 December 2017, when he didn’t return home following an evening out with friends in Cleethorpes.

The teenager from Ulceby was later found on a grass verge off Louth Road in Holton Le Clay, near to where a taxi had dropped him off.

The initial report was made to Humberside Police at 8:45am.

It was later established that Liam had taken a taxi to Holton Le Clay in Lincolnshire, and Lincolnshire Police were informed that Liam was believed to be in their area.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said however, family members carried out their own search.

Just before midnight on December 16 they found Liam’s body in a ditch close to where the taxi driver had dropped him off, around 20 miles away from his home in Ulceby.

A post-mortem examination showed that Liam died from asphyxiation, but the time of his death has not been confirmed.

IOPC Regional Director Miranda Biddle said: “I would like to extend my sympathy to Liam’s family and friends at what must continue to be a very difficult time for them.

“Our independent investigation is progressing well and we are keeping the family updated.

“We have gathered evidence from both police forces to help us understand what actions were taken from the point at which Liam was reported missing until he was found.

“We are also looking at whether those actions were in line with police force policy.”