Human remains have been discovered in the search for a missing man last seen just after Christmas Day.
Peter Baglin vanished almost 10 weeks ago after going out for an evening walk along the Bridgewater Canal. The 55-year-old great-grandad, from Boothstown, was last seen at the Texaco garage on East Lancashire Road, in Mosley Common, Wigan at around 7.38pm on December 28 last year.
The following morning his phone, hat and headphones were found on the towpath of the canal. Although the human remains have yet to be formally identified, Greater Manchester Police said Peter's next of kin had been informed and specialist officers were continuing to support the family.
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Officers from GMP's tactical aid unit made the discovery at around 10.48am on Saturday, March 3 following a land search around the canal in Boothstown. The death is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the surrounding circumstances.
Police sent divers into the Bridgewater Canal for a second time in recent days as in the hope of potential new leads in the search for the great-grandad. On the night Peter went missing, police said there were "extremely low temperatures" and that a change in seasons can "impact how the water behaves".
Peter's wife, who previously appealed for his safe return by making an emotional appeal through the Manchester Evening News, said: "We are each other's best friends. On our days off, we will watch A Place In The Sun together and can stay there just laughing together and talking. Our relationship was the best it's ever been."
The force also conducted CCTV and doorbell footage from the local area and afar, with over 200 members of the local community and Peter's family also lending a hand in carrying out weeks of searches of their own.
Detective Inspector Michael Sharples of the GMP Salford District said: "Though we are not currently in a position to confirm this is Peter, our thoughts remain with his wife Michelle and his loved ones. We understand that the last two months have been extremely difficult for them and this continues to be a distressing time for all of Peter’s loved ones.
"Search teams, made up of GMP personnel and colleagues from partner agencies - such as the National Police Air Service, North West Underwater Search Team and Mountain Rescue – have worked extensively to try and find Peter. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has assisted to date, and also to confirm that our enquiries will not stop until we have found the necessary answers for Peter’s loved ones, for our investigation and for coronial proceedings."
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