The remains of a human skeleton discovered at Festival Park have been identified as a man from Stoke-on-Trent who had been reported as missing.

Staffordshire Police used DNA analysis to identify Darren Green, 42, from Stoke-on-Trent who was reported missing on 16 July 2024.

Forensic officers, an anthropologist, a botanist and an archaeologist, carried out a thorough inspection of the scene over a number of days after the discovery was made by a passing walker on Sunday 2 March.

Officers are not treating the death as suspicious and Mr Green's family are currently being supported by specially-trained officers.

In a statement, Mr Green's family said: "Today we have been informed of the tragic loss of Darren. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everybody affected by this.

"We would like to thank the emergency services and Staffordshire Police for their professionalism, care and understanding and ask that our privacy be respected at this sad time."

Staffordshire Police were first called to Festival Park in Etruria at 3.40pm on Sunday 2 March after the discovery of a skeleton in the area and a days long investigation took place at the scene before the remains were removed.

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