A BODY found in a caravan near Watchet has been confirmed as that of missing murder suspect Richard Scatchard.

Scatchard, 70, was identified following a forensic post-mortem examination, Avon & Somerset Police said, after the body was found at around 2pm on Thursday afternoon (April 4).

“We suspected the body was likely to be Scatchard, who had been wanted by police on a recall to prison,” a spokesperson said.

“We also wanted to speak to him in connection with the death of Kelly Faiers in Minehead on Sunday, October 15, which is being treated as a murder inquiry.”

Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Both Kelly’s family and Richard Scatchard’s family were notified after the body was found earlier this week.

“We have now informed both families that the body recovered has been confirmed as Scatchard.

READ MORE: Body found in caravan near Watchet believed to be murder suspect Richard Scatchard

“While it is apparent Scatchard died some time ago, the forensic post-mortem examination proved inconclusive in determining the cause of death.

“Therefore, as is routine in such cases, we continue to treat the death as unexplained, albeit we are not aware at this time of there being any suspicious circumstances.

“Enquiries will continue and a file produced for the coroner.”

Richard Scatchard went missing after the death of Kelly Faiers in October last year. Picture: Avon & Somerset Police

A mandatory referral will be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after confirmation of Scatchard’s death following police contact.

“This is because we spoke with the 70-year-old at the scene of Kelly’s death last October, shortly before he disappeared, before carrying out subsequent enquiries to find him,” the spokesperson added.

After the body was found, Kelly’s daughter, Jazz, took to Facebook to criticise the police handling of the case.

“Found in a caravan not what we were told earlier, we were told he was found in the shrubbery and told to keep it a secret. Complete joke,” she said.