The search for 54-year-old Wayne Woodgate, who was reported missing from Tunbridge Wells, has now escalated into a murder investigation following the discovery of a body in East Sussex.
Mr. Woodgate had been missing since Thursday, 17 October 2024, when he was last seen getting into a van on Goods Station Road, Tunbridge Wells. Kent Police had previously issued an appeal for information to help locate him.
On Wednesday, 23 October, officers were called to a rural area in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, where a body was found. While formal identification is still pending, Mr. Woodgate’s family has been informed of the development.
A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody as investigations continue.
Detectives are appealing to anyone with dashcam footage from the A268 route between Peasmarsh and Four Oaks. They are particularly interested in footage captured between 5:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, 17 October, or between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, 20 October.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber stated, “We are asking for any dashcam footage from these times and areas, as well as CCTV or doorbell camera footage. Any material can be uploaded to the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP).”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Kent Police at 01622 652006, quoting reference 46/179489/24.
