Body found in search for missing Liam Colgan

A body recovered from the River Elbe in Hamburg is that of a Scot who went missing in the city more than two months ago.

Liam Colgan, 29, from Inverness, disappeared during his brother Eamonn’s stag weekend in the German city in the early hours of February 10.

Police were called to the HafenCity area earlier today where they retrieved a body from the water.

The Lucie Blackman Trust, a charity which has been working with Mr Colgan’s family, said the body was that of Mr Colgan.

Liam Colgan.

The charity, which helps the families of those missing abroad, said: “The Lucie Blackman Trust is saddened to confirm that a body found in the River Elbe, Hamburg, is that of Liam Colgan, missing after attending his brother’s stag weekend in the German city.

“Whilst formal identification is yet to be carried out, Mr Colgan’s driving licence was in the pocket of the jacket, and the clothes were those he was wearing the night he disappeared.

“The trust asks that Mr Colgan’s family be given space and privacy to grieve at this difficult time.”

Chief executive Matthew Searle added: “An astonishing amount of support has been apparent in this case – the search for Liam has been joined by thousands of people, both German and British, and we would like to thank all of them for their support.

Liam Colgan.

“Our thoughts are of course with Liam’s family and friends today.”

Mr Colgan’s disappearance led to a major search in the German city as thousands of leaflets were distributed in the hope of tracing the missing postman.

Eamonn and his fiancée Susan Dolan postponed their wedding while searches took place.

Mr Colgan’s family had hoped to widen their search, including plans to visit other German cities after potential sightings of Liam.

In a statement released at the weekend, the family said they would “never forget” the support of volunteers, who had provided “amazing assistance”.

After the discovery of a body yesterday, a post on the Help Find Liam Colgan Facebook page warned users not to post pictures.

It said: “While we are extremely grateful for all the kind messages, please can we ask that you refrain from posting any news stories here which show videos or pictures of the body being recovered from the river, as these are extremely distressing for family and friends to see – on what is already a difficult day.”

In a statement, Hamburg police said “there are indications that [the body] is that of missing Liam Colgan”.