Ben Clarkson
By Russell Truran
The body found in the River Foss on Friday evening is that of missing Ben Clarkson.
Police searching for the missing 22 year old, who was originally from Leeds, found a man’s body on Foss Bank, near the entrance to Sainsbury’s at around 5pm on Friday.
Yesterday North Yorkshire Police confirmed that it had been formally identified as that of missing Ben.
He had last been seen in the early hours of Sunday March 2, after leaving Fibbers nightclub in York.
His girlfriend Rachel Peatfield, 22, who he met at Temple Moor High School in Leeds, said:
“Ben was a wonderful character who was so kind and gentle and brought joy to many people’s lives and touched the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. I am truly heartbroken that I have lost the love of my life and I will treasure the fond memories we have made over the past 11 years dearly.”
A Facebook page set up to help find him has asked people to donate money to a charity Ben was fond of- the Dogs Trust- in his memory.
Floral tributes have been left around a tree near his home in Heworth, York.
‘Ben’s Tree’
Rachel’s uncle wrote on the page:
“Thank you all for you kind words, as you can appreciate this is a very difficult time for Rachel and Ben’s families. If you could respect their privacy, they do appreciate it but please bare with them. Thank you x”
While a friend of Ben’s wrote:
“I’m so sorry for your loss. Ben was a great guy, he will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. All our thoughts are with you and all those who are mourning Ben xxx”