THE search for a Colchester man who had been missing for 12 days has been called off after a body was found near the River Colne, police have said.

Noel Haruna, 26, had not been seen since Sunday, October 22, after going missing during a night out with friends in Colchester.

The following day, friends contacted Noel’s family to tell them they had not seen Noel since the night out.

Essex Police also shared photos of Noel on Wednesday, which was his 26th birthday, with Essex Police’s Superintendent Sharn Taylor releasing a statement to say the force was “extremely worried” about the situation.

A search party also met in Greenstead on Friday morning, but Essex Police announced this evening that the search for Noel had been suspended after the recovery of a man’s body from the River Colne.

Police also confirmed the man’s death was not being treated as suspicious and a file is now being prepared for the coroner.

A statement from Essex Police read: “We have suspended our search for Noel Hurana, 26, who was missing from Colchester.

“This follows the recovery of a man’s body from the River Colne earlier today (November 3).

“Formal identification is yet to take place, but Noel Hurana’s family have been informed and will continue to receive support.

Noel’s mother, Gloria Haruna, previously told the Gazette her son had studied law at Essex University from 2016 to 2020 and remained in Colchester after completing his studies.

Most recently, it is understood Noel recently moved to a property in Albany Gardens with two housemates, and was working for Dominoes whilst looking for a longer-term job.

Noel had gone out with two friends on the evening of Saturday, October 21, to Trilogy nightclub where the three are said to have had a VIP table.

It is believed Noel sent a picture of himself in a message at about 3am on Sunday morning, but he was not seen since and had not been contactable by phone.

After the search for Noel was suspended on Friday, an Essex Police spokesman also confirmed the recovery of a man’s body from the River Colne was not being treated as suspicious.

The statement read: “The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”