Body found in hunt for missing Fylde car dealer

Police said the body of a white male was discovered early on Friday in Melverton, in the St George area of the island and a murder investigation is under way.

Mr Weare, 49, who is listed as as a director of Fylde Motor Company, based on Preston Street, in Kirkham, was last seen in the car park of a Burger King restaurant on University Drive, in Black Rock, near to the capital Bridgetown in the St Michael’s region,on Wednesday August 23.

It is believed he had been selling cars during his time in Barbados.

A journalist with the Nation News organisation in Barbados, Eric Smith, said: "Police are presently on the scene in Melverton, St George, where a body has reportedly been found.

"According to information reaching the Nation newsroom, the body said to be that of missing British businessman Steven Weare was found in the pre-dawn hours of Friday morning.

"Police have been questioning a number of people in recent days in relation to the missing man who was involved in the selling of imported pre-owned luxury vehicles."

Mr Weare,from Kirkham,had been staying at Newcastle Plantation House, in the St John area on the east of the island.

A spokesman for Lancashire police said they were aware of the situation in Barbados.

He said: "A body has been found but at this stage formal identification has not been made. We have made Mr Weare's family aware of this update."

Earlier this week police officials in Barbados had appealed for information as to Mr Weare's whereabouts and said they were giving the matter their ‘full attention’. The island’s police commissioner had visited asking about the investigation.

Family members,who said last night they did not wish to comment on the matter, are being supported by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as Lancashire Police officers.

We understand Mr Weare’s family bought property in Barbados several years ago and he frequently flew to the popular tourist spot.

It is believed he had been selling cars during his time there. Mr Weare had been driving a silver Mitsubishi Warrior pickup with the registration number J4000 and was wearing a white short-sleeved button-down linen shirt, royal blue chinos and a similar coloured pair of loafers at the time of his disappearance.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “Our staff are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Barbados. We are in contact with the local police.”