Northern Ireland

Body found in river by police searching for missing woman in Larne

Leah Sloan/McCrea was spotted in Larne in the early hours of last Thursday

Leah Sloan/McCrea. PICTURE: PSNI
Leah Sloan/McCrea. PICTURE: PSNI

Police searching for missing woman Leah Sloan in Larne have recovered a body from a river in the town.

The body was located in the Inver River in Larne on Monday, hours after police renewed an appeal for information on Ms Sloan, who was also known by the surname McCrea.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Formal identification will take place in due course and Leah’s family has been informed. We would thank everyone who assisted with the search for Leah.”

A CCTV image of Leah McCrea Sloan in Larne. PICTURE: PSNI
A CCTV image of Leah McCrea Sloan in Larne. PICTURE: PSNI

Ms Sloan/McCrea, who had been described as a “high risk” missing person, was last seen in Larne’s Pound Street area on Thursday April 25 at around 1.30am.

She was a former pupil of Larne High School, and in a Facebook post on Monday evening, a spokesperson said: “The entire Larne High School community is deeply saddened to learn of the death of former pupil Leah Sloan/McCrea. We send our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.”

They added: “Leah, you never were, nor never will be, forgotten by your teachers here at school. Rest easy darling girl.”