A BODY found in a car recovered from a Co Derry river has confirmed that of a man missing for almost 30 years.
Police last night confirmed that the body recovered from the River Bann at the New Ferry Road in Bellaghy last month was James Patterson.
The 54 year-old from Tobermore, Co Derry, disappeared without a trace on October 6 1991.
A car matching the one Mr Patterson was last seen in - a blue/green Ford Orion - was pulled from the river on July 18, sparking renewed hope that his body would be recovered.
The vehicle was discovered by a local community search and rescue team carrying out planned searches in the area.
A police spokesman last night said: "Police can confirm human remains were found following the recovery of a car from the River Bann at the New Ferry Road in Bellaghy last month.
"The vehicle was recovered from the river in July and, following examination, it has been confirmed the human remains are those of James Patterson, who went missing on 6th October 1991.
"The family have been informed and request for privacy at this time."
The PSNI said they were not treating the death of Mr Patterson as suspicious.
He was last seen at Mid Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt on the Sunday evening before he disappeared. Despite widespread searches, no trace of his whereabouts had ever been found.
Following forensic examinations, it is understood that Mr Patterson’s remains were released back to his family and a funeral service was held in Magherafelt yesterday before he was laid to rest in First Magherafelt Presbyterian churchyard.
