A young activist who campaigned with the climate groups Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil has been found dead after going missing almost a week ago.
Xavier Gonzalez-Trimmer, 22, was found in Richmond Park on Monday. Family and friends had been searching the area.
He had been a key protester with Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil, and had been arrested 16 times in relation to protest actions, with five hearings on different charges coming up this year.
Next month he was due to stand trial at Inner London crown court accused of causing a public nuisance, one of more than 50 trials of Insulate Britain supporters due to take place at that court this year.
A missing person poster circulated on social media by friends said Gonzalez-Trimmer had left home on 15 February, with his bicycle but without his ID, wallet or any cash. By Monday, searches had focused on Richmond Park after his bicycle was found there.
News of Gonzalez-Trimmer’s death spread quickly among activists. Giovanna Lewis, an Insulate Britain supporter, said he was loved by all in their movement.
“He was beautiful and he was tall and handsome,” she said. “He had a big smile and the smile just flooded out of him. That was the man that Xavier was. He was special.”
The Metropolitan police said it had received a report on 16 February that Gonzalez-Trimmer had gone missing, and that officers had made inquiries to try to locate him.
“On 20 February, the body of a man was found in Richmond Park – the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner,” the force said.
“Inquiries into the circumstances continue. While formal identification awaits, Xavier’s family has been informed of this development.”
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
