Found Deceased UK - John (aka Derek), 82, last seen leaving a squash club in Greenfield, Oldham, on 02 Jan 2024

[Normal Norm]

Greater Manchester Police are appealing for sightings of missing man, John (82), known to his friends as Derek, from Oldham.

He was last seen at Tame Valley Squash & Tennis Club at around 10am on Tuesday January 2 2024.

GMP Facebook page
GMP Facebook homepage
GMP Oldham Central Facebook page
GMP Oldham Central Facebook homepage

 

[Normal Norm]

The still image below show John / Derek leaving the squash club.

Footage from the squash club CCTV shows that he walked in, changed into walking gear then walked out around 10.00 am on Tuesday 02 Jan 2024.

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

The still image below show John / Derek leaving the squash club.

View attachment 471802

Footage from the squash club CCTV shows that he walked in, changed into walking gear then walked out around 10.00 am on Tuesday 02 Jan 2024.

I don't know the area; is there much countryside in the vicinity? Because to me it seems like John/Derek may have been dressed for a hike.

 

[starlightstarbright]

So it seems he used the club to change to go for a walk rather than a squash session?

Tame Valley Squash and Tennis Club is right on the edge of the Peak District. A lot of walking right out the door and also so much ground to cover. I hope they’ve been searching the major footpaths from there up into the hills.

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

So it seems he used the club to change to go for a walk rather than a squash session?

Tame Valley Squash and Tennis Club is right on the edge of the Peak District. A lot of walking right out the door and also so much ground to cover. I hope they’ve been searching the major footpaths from there up into the hills.

That answers my question. Lots of countryside. I suspect he was dressed to go for a hike.

 

[Normal Norm]

That answers my question. Lots of countryside. I suspect he was dressed to go for a hike.

It certainly looks that way. And it is not flat terrain to be hiking on. Very much the opposite, in fact, if John is intending to reach the nearest high points in the area. Within 2 or 3 miles of where John was last seen, you are in classic UK moorland terrain - bleak, featureless, remote. I hope he has stayed on lower ground.

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

It certainly looks that way. And it is not flat terrain to be hiking on. Very much the opposite, in fact, if John is intending to reach the nearest high points in the area. Within 2 or 3 miles of where John was last seen, you are in classic UK moorland terrain - bleak, featureless, remote. I hope he has stayed on lower ground.

I live in the UK, and though I'm not familiar with this specific area, I live near exactly the kind of terrain you're referring to. It's far too easy to imagine the kind of trouble a hiker could get into, especially one of advancing years in poor weather conditions.

 

[MollyHarps]

I live in the UK, and though I'm not familiar with this specific area, I live near exactly the kind of terrain you're referring to. It's far too easy to imagine the kind of trouble a hiker could get into, especially one of advancing years in poor weather conditions.

I live in Timperley which is probably about 45 mins away from Oldham - the weather here yesterday was atrocious whilst we didn’t get the brunt of the storm winds here it poured with rain constantly all day (we had several flood warnings in place - I also imagine on higher ground it would have been windy).

I hope he’s found refuge somewhere but it’s not looking good - even your fittest hikers would have struggled in that weather yesterday.

 

[Normal Norm]

Sadly, John / Derek's family have announced that he was found deceased yesterday (02 Jan 2023). Although Greater Manchester Police have removed their appeals, they haven't yet issued an update or confirmation.

 

[starlightstarbright]

I did see a comment on a post last night that did not sound like positive news.

Greater Manchester Police had turned off comments on the missing posters for him and these posts are now deleted. There is a ‘John’ who was missing and now found, but this looks to be a different John. They haven’t posted a follow up to say he was found safely, so my guess is that it probably isn’t good news and they are waiting to notify all family sadly. JMO

 

[MollyHarps]

Family have paid tribute to him

Family pays tribute to 'brilliant' grandad tragically found dead in Saddleworth

‘He’s been a wonderful husband, an incredible father, and a brilliant grandfather’

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Sounds like he did the hike on a regular basis - the first picture in the police appeal did not really do him justice as on that picture he looked quite frail whereas on every other picture I’ve seen I’d say he looked in great condition for his age.

Thoughts go out to his family - also to the member of the public who found him x