Post-mortem to take place after body found found in search for high risk missing person Lee Johnston at Mullagh Lane in Maghera

Police last night confirmed that the body of a man was located in the search for high risk missing person – Lee Johnston.

It comes as police appealed for information on a missing man, Lee Johnston.

Mr Johnston, 21, from the Coleraine area, was reported missing to police on Friday and he was described as a “high-risk” missing person.

Police noted Mr Johnston’s links to the Coleraine, Ballymena, Limavady and Cookstown areas and said their latest confirmed sighting of the high-risk missing person was at 5.42pm in the area of Dunmore Crescent, Cookstown, on Saturday.

A woman aged 31 and a man aged 33 had been arrested in relation to his disappearance but were later released on bail.

Formal identification and the post-mortem examination are due to take place in coming days following the discovery of the body.

The PSNI have said no further information will be available until these procedures have been completed.

In a statement, the PSNI say the body was located in the Maghera area – and officers remain at the scene.

The news came as pictures revealed officers were examining the Mullagh Lane area of Maghera today October 19).

An earlier post from Community Rescue Service Northern District said: “Sad News – CRS were tasked tonight to the Mid- Ulster area to resume their search for a high risk missing person.

"We regret to inform you that late this evening CRS volunteers discovered a body believed to be that of the missing person.

"The management and volunteers of the Community Rescue Service extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased at this sad time”.

On Wednesday, Supt Michael O'Loan said it was "completely out of character" for Mr Johnston not to have been in contact with his family and he was being treated as a high risk missing person.

A 31-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man arrested following his disappearance were bailed on Tuesday night to allow for further enquiries.

Lee Johnston, 21, from the Coleraine area was reported missing to police on Friday.

Detectives later launched a criminal investigation as well as a missing person investigation.

In a press conference yesterday, Mr O’Loan said: “Lee was first reported missing to police on Friday evening, October 13, and we are becoming increasingly concerned about his safety.

“It is completely out of character for him to not be in contact with his family, who are being supported by specialist officers during this worrying time.

“We have launched a criminal investigation into his disappearance to support the missing person investigation.

“Two people, a woman aged 31 and a man aged 33, who were arrested have since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.”

The officer added: “Lee has links to the Coleraine, Ballymena, Limavady and Cookstown areas.

I am appealing directly to Lee to make contact with the police, family or friends so that we know you are safe and well.

“I am also asking the public to contact us if they have seen Lee. I know he was last seen on Saturday October 7.

“At 4pm we believe he was in the Mullagh Park area of Maghera.

“We then have a confirmed sighting of him in a supermarket on the Orritor Road in Cookstown at approximately 4.52pm.

"CCTV shows him in the store and going through a checkout.

“We now have a new confirmed sighting of him in the area of Dunmore Crescent, Cookstown, at 5.24pm that day.

“Please look at the photograph of Lee. He has short brown hair, blue eyes and around 5ft 9ins in height, and was last seen wearing a blue hooded top and tracksuit bottoms.”

Mr O’Loan added: “I am appealing to anyone who was travelling through the Mullagh Park area in Maghera between 3pm and 4pm on Saturday October 7 to think if they saw Lee or anything unusual or saw him following his visit to the supermarket after 5pm.

“If you did, please report it to police immediately.

“I would also appeal to anyone with dash-cam, CCTV or mobile footage that could help our enquiries, to also make contact with police on 101, quoting reference number 1782 13/10/23.”

Mr O’Loan added that the longer Mr Johnston remained missing, the more police became concerned.

He said: “We have no information to say that Lee has come to harm and we are keeping an open mind around the circumstances of his disappearance.

“We have a number of lines of inquiry that we are following.”

Mid Ulster District Commander Superintendent Michael O’Loan said: "We are continuing to search for 21-year-old Lee Johnston, from the Coleraine area, who we are treating as a high risk missing person.

"Lee was first reported missing to police on Friday evening, 13th October and we are becoming increasingly concerned about his safety.

"It is completely out of character for him to not be in contact with his family, who are being supported by specialist officers during this worrying time.

"We have launched a criminal investigation into his disappearance to support the missing person investigation.

Yesterday at a Press Conference Superintendent O’Loan said: "I am appealing to anyone who was travelling through the Mullagh Park area in Maghera between 3pm and 4pm on Saturday, 7th October to think if they saw Lee or anything unusual or saw following his visit to the supermarket after 5pm.

"If you did, please report it to police immediately.

"I would also appeal to anyone with dash-cam, CCTV or mobile footage that could help our enquiries, to also make contact with police on 101, quoting reference number 1782 13/10/23.”

"You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers.uk.org”.