Found Deceased UK - Nicholas Degraff, 23, Workington, left Great Clifton wth dog to walk home, 12 Dec 2021

[MsMiniSleuth]

Police and search teams looking for missing Nicholas Degraff have called off their land search so they can focus on the River Derwent.

Crews have been in the river for the last couple of days but now all efforts will be concentrated on the water.

It is more than five days since the 23-year-old went missing as he was walking home from a friend's house.

Search for missing Workington man Nicholas Degraff to be focused on river | ITV News

(video report on link)

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

POLICE have deployed underwater search specialists as they continue to search for missing Workington man Nicholas Degraff.

Today will be the sixth day police and members of the community have came together to search for the 23 year old who was last seen at 5am last Sunday, December 12.

Inspector Ashley Bennett said: “We have had officers, including underwater search specialists, conduct extensive searches of the river bank and the river itself in and around Workington and the Calva Brow area.

"We have also continued our enquiries into information we have received from the public.".

Police and community continue to search for missing Workington man

 

[Normal Norm]

Does the last citing of him support the notion that he did not intentionally walk near the water? MOO

Had Nicholas taken the "obvious" route to Workington (the road that goes via Stainburn), there would have been no reason to be anywhere near the river. The last sighting of him suggests he was intending to take this route. The fact that his distressed dog was found at Camerton suggests he ended up going via a different route . This may or may not have been intentional - it would have been pitch black at the time, both at Camerton and all the way along the river to Workington.

 

[StillDiggin]

The dog lead being found in the river by Great Clifton is the update and jacket found in the river below Calva bridge does belong to Nicholas.
I know the dog was found running loose a few hours later, I wonder if it was possible at the time to see if there was evidence the dog was ever in the water. I know Nicholas sister has asked about an animal communicator. This dog surely has a story to tell.
Search for missing Workington man enters sixth day

 

[minneolo]

The fact that the dog’s lead was found in the river is troubling, to me.

Nicholas’ facebook makes it seem (IMO) that he adored his dog. If the lead was found in the river, it makes me think that he potentially set her free before harming himself. Which of course would be awful. I hope this theory is not true.

I am curious what kind of lead was found. If it was a traditional kind that clips to the collar, then one would think it was purposefully removed. If however it was a slip lead (imagine a loop that goes around the dog’s neck) then it might be that the pup got herself free of the lead on her own.

 

[annpats]

I wonder if he fell in the river in the dark or lost his footing?
Maybe he trod on marshy land and the ground gave way under him?

 

[StillDiggin]

I think this is so. Maybe he tried to take a short cut. Either way he would have to cross the river. Maybe its shallow in parts with stones for a crossing he was heading for. He is from Workington so he should now this area, although it was dark and the only light he might have is from is mobile phone. Another possibility is the welders mask he had borrowed. Nicholas and the friend he left from are both welders/ fabricators. The mask is also very expensive. £350 i think i have seen it for sale. My mate whos an ex welder seams to think that if this was in the water it would sink, so another possibility is that the mask carried in a plastic bag became detached from Nicholas, it found its way in the water and he tried to retrieve it being quite a valuable item.

 

[StillDiggin]

People urged to join the search for missing Workington man Nicholas Degraff

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Cumbria police said the search continues for a missing Workington man.

A spokesman said enquiries were ongoing into the whereabouts of Nicholas Degraff, who was last seen in Great Clifton on Sunday, December 12.

Specialist police teams, including divers and dog handlers, mountain rescue teams, Maryport Inshore Lifeboat and other agencies have been involved in the search since he was reported missing.

The community has also rallied round, taking part in searches over the weekend.

A police spokesman said: “Police and specialist teams are still conducting enquiries and searches of the river and surrounding locations.”

Searches continue for missing Workington man Nicholas Degraff

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Underwater searches are continuing again today for missing Workington man Nicholas Degraff.

Nicholas Degraff, 23, was reported missing just after dinnertime last Sunday, December 12 with volunteers turning out every day since then in a bid to find him.

Specialist teams and police continue to search along the River Derwent and in the surrounding locations alongside members of the public.

The community has supported police in the search for over a week, with people searching areas along the west coast.

Searches continue for missing man with specialist underwater teams

 

[StillDiggin]

Fund launched to bring Nicholas Degraff home raises £10,000 in six hours

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The family of Nicholas Degraff say they have been blown away by the community support to try and find him.

He was first reported missing by his sister Charlotte at about 12.40pm on December 12.

Cumbria Police said the 23-year-old left an address in Great Clifton at around 4:30am intending to walk home to Workington but did not arrive.

He was last seen on Rosemary Gardens, Great Clifton at around 5am heading westwards towards Workington.

His sister, Charlotte, explained: "Sunday (December 12) I got a phone call at about 12pm to say that a dog had been found in Camerton and it was more than likely Leia [Nicholas' dog].

"I had no idea why Leia would be there. So we jumped in the car quickly and I was frantically trying to find out where Leia was."

Charlotte collected Leia from the police station and it was then they knew they needed to find Nicholas.

"People were concerned that the way Leia had been found it was such strange circumstances. She was on the bank at Clifton Woods barking at the water," added Charlotte.

"She's such a loyal dog. She will not leave your side."

It was from here that Charlotte reported Nicholas as missing and from here went to Clifton Woods to start searching.

Since then, the community has banded together to try and find him.

Sister alerted to man's disappearance as dog found 'barking at river'

 

[minneolo]

"People were concerned that the way Leia had been found it was such strange circumstances. She was on the bank at Clifton Woods barking at the water," added Charlotte.

"She's such a loyal dog. She will not leave your side."

Sister alerted to man's disappearance as dog found 'barking at river'

Snipped and bolded by me.

This makes my heart hurt. The image of his loyal pup barking at the water is just awful.
Too many stories of young men missing near bodies of water. I truly hope he returns safely to his family (and to Leia the dog) but I fear instead he’s gone in the river.

 

[StillDiggin]

Nicholas Degraff’s sister ‘will not rest until he is found’

 

[LemonMint]

From the 23rd of December:

https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/19804296.fundraiser-divers-find-missing-man-nicholas-degraff/

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Would have been his 24th birthday today...

 

[StillDiggin]

The divers are 99.9% certain that Nicholas is not in the river. I presume this means the welders mask aswell. Only Nicholas’s jacket has been found and dog lead which was near where Nicholas could of entered the water.
Day 17 - Nicholas DeGraff MISSING

‼‼ Please share to reach Scotland/Isle of Man ‼‼

The private divers have done an amazing job searching the river over 3 days and they are 99.9% certain that Nic is not in the River Derwent.

Please can we ask that this status is shared to try and reach Scotland/Isle of Man, so the public can be aware and keep an eye out on the coastlines
Log into Facebook

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

99.9% certain that Nic is not in the River Derwent.

How far did their search extend?

What is the current like? Is it feasible he could have reached the Irish Sea?

If only that dog could talk...I wonder if they have tried taking it back and seeing if it goes to one particular area?

 

[StillDiggin]

Yes, thats why the family appeal has extended to Scotland and the Isle of Man incase Nicholas ends up there from the Irish Sea.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

THE sister of a missing man is appealing for help further afield as the search continues to find Nicholas Degraff.

People from areas of Scotland and the Isle of Man are being asked to help in the search for the missing Workington man by checking area's of coastline.

The family brought in private divers to help with the search after a Just Giving page set up to pay for the team after more than £18,000 was raised to help pay for the divers.

After searching the river since December, 26 the private divers have said they are 99.9% certain Nicholas is not in the river.

Family appeal for help from further afield in search for Nicholas Degraff