Missing teen Luke Fingleton: Police make heartbreaking find that 'nobody wanted'

Police searching for a teenager have tragically discovered a body in woodland.

Luke Fingleton, 19, was last seen at a McDonald's restaurant in Rawtenstall, , at around 12.15pm on March 27. He was reported missing from his home in Bacup by his family last weekend and a search was launched, but today said they have sadly found a body.

said formal identification has not yet taken place but the body is believed to be Luke. They added that the teen's death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

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A statement shared by Lancashire Police reads: "We have an extremely sad update to bring you about our search for missing Luke Fingleton who was reported missing from his home in Bacup by family last Sunday. Numerous enquiries have been ongoing to find Luke since then, however yesterday afternoon the body of a man was discovered deceased in woodland off Haslingden Road in Rawtenstall.

"While formal identification has not yet taken place, we believe it to be Luke. The tragic news has been delivered to Luke's next of kin and our thoughts are with them at this devastating time. This is not the outcome anybody wanted.

"Luke's death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to HM Coroner in due course. We would just like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who shared our appeals and, again, pass on our deepest condolences to Luke's family."

This year, , a campaign highlighting the forgotten, unsolved or underreported cases of missing people across the UK. In partnership with Missing People, our mission is to bring awareness to every publicly listed missing person in the UK through our live, interactive map.

Missing People is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting missing children, adults and their loved ones. Its mission is to be a lifeline when someone disappears. Its goals are to make sure going missing is understood as a crisis, and a matter of life and death. That missing people and their families get the right help at the right time, and that no missing person comes to harm.

For advice, support and options, if you or someone you love goes missing, text or call Missing People’s Helpline on 116 000 or email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk. It's free, confidential and non-judgmental, and sightings information can also be taken. Or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk.