Suspected human remains have been found in a reservoir in a rural area of Co Tyrone by police investigating the disappearance and suspected murder of a man in his 40s.
The PSNI’s Major Investigation Team has been looking into the disappearance of Cookstown man Damien Heagney, 47, who was last seen in December but only reported missing in July of this year.
A specialist team of divers and dogs tasked by the PSNI were searching the reservoir near Cappagh on Wednesday and removed the body from the water.
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The specialist team remained in the area for a number of hours on Wednesday as police said they had also found Heagney’s vehicle.
A PSNI spokesperson confirmed the remains had been found in the reservoir.
"Major Investigation Team detectives and specialist officers carrying out a search of the Cappagh Reservoir as part of an ongoing investigation into the disappearance and murder of 47-year-old Damien Heagney, have recovered suspected human remains which have been taken away for examination," the spokesperson said.
"Enquiries are ongoing and there are no further details at present."
Damien was last seen in the Dromore area of Co Tyrone on New Year’s Eve, and police are following a number of lines of inquiry.
A white Citroen Berlingo has been identified as a vehicle of interest, while Damien’s three-year-old Rottweiler is also missing.
A £20,000 award has been put up for anyone with information related to the Cookstown’s disappearance.
Briefing the media at Cookstown Police Station earlier on Wednesday, Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson said:
“The investigation team with support from specialist colleagues, have to date searched three residential properties in the Tyrone area. A number of items have been taken away for further examination.
“A 50-year-old man arrested on Saturday 6th August on suspicion of murder was later released on bail pending further enquiries.
“Damien was last seen in the Dromore area, in the early hours of Friday 31st December. I want to appeal to anyone who saw Damien at any stage to contact us.
“We have recovered his vehicle, a Grey BMW FX6 6JXR which is currently being examined. We have also identified another vehicle of interest, a white Citroen Berlingo van, registration number LM58 UVW.
“We know that the Citroen van travelled in the Tyrone and Fermanagh areas between Friday 31st December and Friday 7th January. I would like to hear from anyone who saw this van during that time period.
“Finally, Damien’s dog Tyson, a three-year old black coloured Rottweiler cross breed, which was wearing a red coloured collar, is also missing.
“I would appeal for anyone who has any information surrounding Damien’s disappearance and murder to contact Major Investigation Team detectives on 101 quoting reference 1058 of 19/07/22.
“The charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information it receives that leads to the prosecution of those responsible. Crimestoppers is independent of the police.
“To stay anonymous, contact Crimestoppers directly on Freephone 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org . There is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and computer IP addresses are never traced.”
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