Found Deceased UK - Anthony Knott, 33, last seen at a pub in Lewes, Sussex, 20 Dec 2019 #2

[Tortoise]

I was thinking today about the fact that no further cctv footage of Anthony after 7.41 pm has so far been found. I was wondering whether one reason for that could be that he took off his coat at some point? I know it was cold but after briskly walking for half an hour or so he might have felt a bit too warm. At least that's my own experience when I have a warm coat or jacket on and walk fast. It can get sweaty inside and I have on occasion taken it off for a few minutes.

The cctv footage we've seen was quite dark before they lightened and sharpened it - I would not have recognized AK. If he took off his coat it might have been even more difficult to recognize him in such kind of images, and he was simply overlooked or dismissed.

Moo.

Although he does stand out with his distinctive walk. Then again, we've only seen him walking either up or down hill, not on the flat.

 

[Ruthbullock]

I think (but I'm not positive without checking again) Brighton is on a different line from Lewes though.

They both had to pass through the closed section- so if one could pass, the logic is the other trains could as well.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

AK’s family have been told by police, after they’d checked his mobile phone data, that he made no calls at all when in Lewes. He definitely received one earlier at approximately 4pm, which was from a work colleague in the group who was asking Anthony for directions. He did check some data on his phone for a few minutes shortly prior to leaving The Lamb - which could have been Google Maps looking for nearby stores so he could buy cigarettes...or he could have been checking something else. But he definitely didn’t make any calls, and I haven’t read he’d sent any text messages, either: so that rules out he was contacting someone to meet up with.

I also believe it was his first visit to Lewes, so the likelihood of him even knowing anyone living there, let alone having an affair, is almost non-existent. Besides, he was SEEN on CCTV (twice) alone...

I’ve seen suggestions where people have said maybe he was buying drugs, or meeting a hook-up off a gay dating site, but there’s never been the slightest suggestion he was into any of those things; and really, would a man out with his firefighter colleagues on a Christmas pub crawl suddenly sneak off to buy drugs or meet up for quick gay sex? IF AK was an occasional recreational drug user (and it seems unlikely given his profession & being a father to four young children) he’d have got whatever drug he wanted from a supplier he knew and trusted near where he lived. So you can rule that one out.

And if he was secretly bi-sexual, which again, there’s absolutely nothing to suggest that, but married men who are secretly bi arrange hook-ups well away from where they live, and well away from any chance of being spotted. And they do it at a convenient time - they don’t leave their dozen friends to wonder where he’s gone...

The one coincidental thing is that his battery went flat when he left the pub...is it possible he turned it off? And if so, why? He was 50 miles from home & if his battery was almost dead would he have wasted it on scrolling through Google/sites/maps? I’d save my battery in case I needed to call home later or to receive urgent calls/texts - so I find it strange he’d use his battery up to search for directions when all he had to do was ask absolutely any local how to get to a cigarette shop. It’s possible he turned his phone off to save the last of his battery for later, but it’s also possible he turned it off in the hugely unlikely possibility he wanted to “run away from life” - but people don’t “leave” when out on a works do.

One curious thing is the lack of police appeals/updates....maybe they have an idea what’s happened and haven’t publicised it. They seemed to abruptly call all the searches off, which they did do thoroughly they say, but there are no appeals, no reconstructions, so I’d guess the police have an idea what’s happened

I think this makes a whole lot of good sense

 

[Officer Dibble]

Anthony may have been more inebriated than he appeared: not everyone staggers when they’re way over the limit. He didn’t have a drink in The Lamb, which suggests he felt he’d had enough.


Going by the fact he left the pub and appears to have been possibly disoriented, feeling tipsy, unfamiliar with his surroundings, he then got lost - hence him walking down towards the residential area. He spent about 20 minutes down there before walking back up again, so clearly his sense of direction was skewed for some reason.

If that’s the case, and it appears to be, then it’s highly likely he became lost and disoriented when trying to reach Waitrose/Tesco. He may have noticed what he thought was a shortcut and with it being dark, wet and slippery, he could have easily slipped into the river.

He was wearing smart shoes which don’t grip as well as trainers; he did seem to stumble slightly on the first CCTV; he did have a “bouncy walk” due to walking on his toes which would make you more liable to slip...he had alcohol in his system...and according to reports the river was extremely dangerous that night with a fast current.

I suspect, tragically, he fell into the very cold water and was dragged away by the current: it happens frequently to people all over the world.

BBM - good point re the shoes being less grippy and combined with the ball of feet walk, and flooding....you've convinced me he has had a terrible accident.

 

[Elainera]

Did it start raining any time after the last cctv sighting? Could he have pulled his coat up over the head? (I'm still with my last train of thought that he might not have been recognized on subsequent cctv.)

 

[Ruthbullock]

Did it start raining any time after last cctv sighting? Could he have pulled his coat up over the head? (I'm still with my last train of thought that he might not have been recognized on subsequent cctv.)

DBM

 

[martenwearer]

Did it start raining any time after last cctv sighting? Could he have pulled his coat up over the head? (I'm still with my last train of thought that he might not have been recognized on subsequent cctv.)

Good point... I can't remember whether it was on here or Lewes Present comments someone saying the garage cctv looks like he's wearing a bin bag (rain) as his coat looked a lot longer and 'flowy'. I know family has confirmed its not him in the cctv, but know you've mentioned a change in outfit it has opened up a different way of viewing the cctv

 

[Angleterre]

There’s something really nagging me here about Anthony’s disappearance. I accept that the likelihood is the water as there’s nothing else so far that we are aware of ( albeit the Police will have details that they won’t necessarily share). However, there are varying trains of thought and opinions as to how inebriated he seemed ( not that much to me but what do I know from a photograph or fuzzy CCTV images). And what is bugging me is his occupation as a firefighter and the fact that a mandatory and particular part of their initial and continued training is water rescue. He will be more aware than most of the dangers of water and how quickly you can succumb to its wrath. And whilst I accept in drink that our normal reasoning and some of our 360 degree awareness goes out of the window, I just find it mind boggling that he was according to maps and witnesses or cctv testimony, going away from the water and this coupled with the fact of his awareness of water dangers, really has me scratching my head. I know it can be upon you before you realise but it is just concerning to me.
I don’t have any alternative views as there are no further facts to base them on. My brother is a 30 year time served firefighter and he himself has said that although our defences are lowered when under the influence, he would (IHOO) still be more aware than most of the dangers of water, even in an unknown or unfamiliar place.
I jus want Anthony to be found safe and well and him having needed to take time out for whatever reason until he’s ready to reappear as the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about
Again I say this respectfully and all MOO

 

[mattywoo]

There’s something really nagging me here about Anthony’s disappearance. I accept that the likelihood is the water as there’s nothing else so far that we are aware of ( albeit the Police will have details that they won’t necessarily share). However, there are varying trains of thought and opinions as to how inebriated he seemed ( not that much to me but what do I know from a photograph or fuzzy CCTV images). And what is bugging me is his occupation as a firefighter and the fact that a mandatory and particular part of their initial and continued training is water rescue. He will be more aware than most of the dangers of water and how quickly you can succumb to its wrath. And whilst I accept in drink that our normal reasoning and some of our 360 degree awareness goes out of the window, I just find it mind boggling that he was according to maps and witnesses or cctv testimony, going away from the water and this coupled with the fact of his awareness of water dangers, really has me scratching my head. I know it can be upon you before you realise but it is just concerning to me.
I don’t have any alternative views as there are no further facts to base them on. My brother is a 30 year time served firefighter and he himself has said that although our defences are lowered when under the influence, he would (IHOO) still be more aware than most of the dangers of water, even in an unknown or unfamiliar place.
I jus want Anthony to be found safe and well and him having needed to take time out for whatever reason until he’s ready to reappear as the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about
Again I say this respectfully and all MOO

I agree with you on this one, but as you say, what other explanations are there?

My opinion is that he possibly went to a point where he didn't know the river was there. So, he wasn't on heightened alert. This doesn't of course explain how he was seen walking away from the river...

 

[Elainera]

@Angleterre in your opinion and experience, how many hours after the last cctv footage at 7.41 pm LE would have looked at?

Could AK have sat down somewhere in a dark alley or park, even fell asleep, and only after several hours continued to walk wherever he wanted to get to? But this later footage was never looked at?

 

[Rosegold68]

True, but what’s the chances of AK arranging to meet someone in in a place he’s never been before; that’s 50 miles from home; and while he’s out with his friends on a Christmas do?

I’d say almost zero

hmm what’s the chances of going missing on a night out with a group of mates? I’d say almost zero too

<modsnip: argumentive, personalizing>

 

[Angleterre]

@Angleterre in your opinion and experience, how many hours after the last cctv footage at 7.41 pm LE would have looked at?

Could AK have sat down somewhere in a dark alley or park, even fell asleep, and only after several hours continued to walk wherever he wanted to get to? But this later footage was never looked at?

It really depends on the intelligence that they received and the staff that they have available to prioritise actions accordingly so it’s like saying how long is a piece of string.
When a major incident is declared, the SIO has to complete a policy book with a summary of what’s known to date as well as all actions (lines of enquires) raised and everything that has been considered and acted upon or considered and not acted upon and the justifications for both .
They also will set and detail search parameters and specify again with justification, why those parameters have been set and they have to implement a CCTV strategy to state what they are going to view and again the justification or otherwise if a decision taken not to view it.
There’s a ton of stuff going on behind the scenes and I don’t know if they are running the major incident on paper records or HOLMES ( Home office major enquiry system brought in after the Yorkshire ripper enquiry when intelligence was lost as were opportunities to apprehend the suspect because they were working on paper records across different police forces and not sharing information). So atm its an unknown quantity... there will be a Detective assigned as a FLO ( family liaison officer) who bridges the gap between the SIO and enquiry team and the family.
With it having been the Christmas period too, as sad as it is, there would have been less staff on duty covering the bank holidays because of budget constraints so that may have impacted on what staff are available to collate and view all CCTV
And don’t forget that in itself is a huge task as most shops would have been closed over Christmas so they would have had to be chasing key holders for premises to secure the CCTV before it’s wiped ( generally 31 days) .
So a huge task . I’m sorry for waffling but it is important to understand the whys and wherefores to the whole investigation x

 

[Funky funky]

What about bookmakers? Are there any in the vicinity of where Anthony was captured on CCTV? Been on many a work night out where someone has left to place a bet? Could be another possible reason for his leaving? MOO

 

[Alyce]

New article - Lucy gives reason for why they met in Lewes and she confirms re the phone usage, or lack of.
With these photos - I find them very different to the one shown on the poster.



Mr Knott was in Lewes as a few of his work colleagues live in the area and as a compromise to them going into London for the Christmas do the previous year, they decided to hold it in Lewes this year.

Miss Otto dropped him off at the Swan in West Wickham at around 12.30pm and he made his way to Lewes in a taxi with others. The plan was to share a cab back or get a train home.


Miss Otto said: "In the CCTV footage from outside the Landsdown Arms, he’s just making at a call to his colleague letting them know which pub they are in.

"Apart from a text to me at 4.26pm, his phone isn’t used again to make any calls or texts at all.


'I'm living in a nightmare'

 

[RobinCAL]

I still wonder why he left the pub -- I know we've come up with a few ideas, all of them seen reasonable. I just can't get my head around his friends no knowing. Maybe it's just me but I would say that I'm just nipping out to get some money, food etc...

The above article indicates that the plan for Anthony wasn't to go home alone ( as in sharing the cab with his friends) and also what comes to mind if he didn't have a drink at the pub he left (and if i remember correctly he was there for a bit) then he would obviously be more sober with the lack of alcohol?

Sorry for the rambling

 

[Skigh]

I still wonder why he left the pub -- I know we've come up with a few ideas, all of them seen reasonable. I just can't get my head around his friends no knowing. Maybe it's just me but I would say that I'm just nipping out to get some money, food etc...

The above article indicates that the plan for Anthony wasn't to go home alone ( as in sharing the cab with his friends) and also what comes to mind if he didn't have a drink at the pub he left (and if i remember correctly he was there for a bit) then he would obviously be more sober with the lack of alcohol?

Sorry for the rambling

I totally agree with you about it being strange he did not tell his friends where he was going.
If he was going for cigarettes I would have thought he would have checked with his friends to see if they needed anything from the shop.
He was with a small group of colleagues not at a large party where he would not be missed if he decided to leave.

 

[Ruthbullock]

So curious what the text to his partner said? That would say a lot about how much he was enjoying the day. Although it could be something as boring as replying to her text, but that’s normally stated. I’m also starting to think AK was the sensible friend- the one who never gets that drunk and feels the need to keep on eye on everyone, the only one who will coherently tell you after a 4 hour drinking session which pub you are in. The one who when he’s had enough doesn’t drink, the one who is there, but almost not there. The one who perhaps tries to locate the wanderers. Wonder if any of his colleagues lived up past the E&C? I’m still not convinced and it’s never been said anywhere that he hasn’t been to Lewes before.

 

[guiser]

Could he have known firefighters working out of Lewes fire station in North Street?
Perhaps a former colleague who had transferred there?
Did he pop up there to see if they were at work?
Maybe a local can tell us whether the station is manned 24 hours?

 

[guiser]

Anyone find it slightly odd that they guys went out on an all day bender but as far as we know, they only managed two pubs?
I know the Royal Oak was mentioned, but only because they would have passed it.

 

[Skigh]

So curious what the text to his partner said? That would say a lot about how much he was enjoying the day. Although it could be something as boring as replying to her text, but that’s normally stated. I’m also starting to think AK was the sensible friend- the one who never gets that drunk and feels the need to keep on eye on everyone, the only one who will coherently tell you after a 4 hour drinking session which pub you are in. The one who when he’s had enough doesn’t drink, the one who is there, but almost not there. The one who perhaps tries to locate the wanderers. Wonder if any of his colleagues lived up past the E&C? I’m still not convinced and it’s never been said anywhere that he hasn’t been to Lewes before.

If he was that sensible he would not have left his friends without telling them where he was going.