A family say their 'hearts are shattered' after police confirmed a human skull found on a building site matches the DNA of a missing man.

Essex Police launched an investigation on July 19, 2021, after the force received reports a human skull had been found on a site near Harwich Port.

DNA testing has revealed it is the remains of 38-year-old John Dick, who had been missing from the Bury St Edmunds area.

He was last seen in Harwich on November 30, with no additional confirmed sightings.

On September 10, further bones were discovered along the coastline, in Bathside Bay, which led to additional searches in the following days.

Those searches led to the discovery of more remains in nearby marshland.

Read more >> Human skull found on building site confirmed to be that of missing man

In a statement, Mr Dick’s family paid tribute to their 'funny, kind, generous and trusting' father and husband. 

They said: “We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our John.

“He was a wonderful man who was funny, kind, generous and trusting and, from the stories that have been shared, it is clear that this has been seen far and wide by so many people.

“Everyone that knew him is better for knowing him and John will be forever missed.

“He was so very loved as a daddy, husband, son and brother and our hearts are shattered at our loss.”

A police spokesman said: "We are conducting tests to ensure the additional discoveries are the remains of Mr Dick.

"We are not linking the discovery to any other investigation at this time and a file is now being be prepared for the coroner.

"We have kept Mr Dick’s family updated throughout our investigation."