Police now believe they have found the body of Chris May, a Kelvedon man who went missing almost three years ago. 

May 2015

Mr May went missing on May 25, 2015. 

He left his home in St Mary’s Road, Kelvedon, at around 9.45am on May 25 and has not been heard from since.

He sent a text to a friend in Kelvedon that morning to say he was going to Braintree but his phone was switched off from 11.50am.

His silver Volkswagen Golf was found abandoned in Troy’s Chase, Fairstead, two days later.

Mr May had been using drugs and was known to be dealing substances locally including ecstasy, cocaine and mephadrone, also known as dolly.

Police believe this involvement with drugs is linked to his death and have received four letters sent by anonymous authors, all claiming to know information about Chris’ whereabouts, but officers have proven two of the letters to be hoaxes.

Gazette:

Chris May's car was found abandoned in Fairstead

May 2016

On May 25, DCI Marina Ericson, who was leading the search, declared the case a murder investigation without a body. 

DCI Ericson of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate believed his links to drugs may hold the key to who killed him and why.

A timeline of Mr May's last moments were released, showing CCTV images of his journey in his silver Volkswagen Golf before it was found abandoned.

Essex Police issued a further appeal for information and revealed four letters had been sent my anonymous authors, claiming to to know what happened. 

Officers proved two of the letters to be hoaxes and previously mentioned the first letter which suggested Chris had come to harm.

Gazette:

This letter was received at Witham police station on June 1.

A further letter was received on June 24, 2015, saying Mr May was alive.

It suggested the first letter publicised was a hoax and that Mr May was laying low because he owed money.

May 2017

Chris May's family renew their appeal for information. 

Essex Police say Mr May was trying to expand his drug dealing operation at the time of his disappearance. 

Det Ch Insp Stuart Smith said: "I know Chris was actively dealing drugs and I believe it is this involvement with drugs and him trying to extend his dealing which has led to his death.

"I am really keen to speak to dealers and users in the Coggeshall, Kelvedon, Feering and Braintree areas who had dealings with Chris."

Gazette:

Sister Gemma May, mother Lorraine May, sister Charlene May

During an interview at Police HQ in Chelmsford this morning, mum Lorraine May said: "Two years on it still feels like the first day. People say after two years it should get easier as you are going to work and getting on with your life but we are not ok.