Found Deceased UK - Toby Burwell, 17, reported missing from home in Newbold, Nr Rugby, Warks, on the morning of 20 Feb 2023

[Telltale]

I hate to say this, but Warwickshire are doing the precise same thing Lancs did with Nicola Bulley. They're focussing on just one piece of water, assuming that, because it's close to where he went missing, then he must be in there. Obviously they will have gathered some other information, and of course NB's body was ultimately found in the Wyre, but it feels limiting, myopic, a bit narrow-sighted to just focus on water in this way, in any case where a significant body of water is in the vicinity. JMO.

Well lancs were right, and they didn't just sit on the river all day, they systematically investigated all entrances and exits to the site and tracked down everyone walking in the area until they had a fair degree of certainty she hadn't left the area by foot. If the NB should show anything, it's that even with repeated specialist searches of bodies of water, it can still take weeks to find a body.

Things like police dive teams make the press because they are obvious to observers are reporters. It will be far from the only line of enquiry they are following.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

There’s “Help Find Toby Burwell” FB page run by his mother.

Toby is unfortunately still missing, it seems.

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m.facebook.com

Second post on there...

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The detective in charge of the search for the missing Rugby teenager has joined with Toby’s parents to thank residents for their support as the search continues.

DI Gareth Unett, who has led the investigation from the start, said: “People across the borough and beyond have been saddened and worried since Toby disappeared from his home in Rugby, where he lives with his parents, Tim and Alan.

"We thank everyone for their ongoing support.”

He continued: “Though Toby remains missing, I would now, with Tim and Alan’s agreement, like to provide a more detailed update on the police investigation.

“At present, the evidence we have gathered strongly supports the conclusion that Toby went to Newbold Quarry alone for a swim and that, tragically, he got into difficulty and remains in the water.

"Toby is known to have previously gone swimming there at night.

“As part of our investigation we have maintained an open mind, speaking with Toby’s friends, reviewing local CCTV and responding to potential sightings, considering all alternative explanations.

“Despite extensive, expert-led searches, we have found no evidence that Toby ever left the water, and there has been no positive sighting since,” he said.

[...]

“Specialist divers have conducted searches of a large area covering near to where Toby is believed to have gone into the water, but as they moved into the deepest parts of the quarry they were faced with significant hazards - such as trees, machinery and thick vegetation.

“Sonar, underwater drones and similar methods proved ineffective because of this and, as the debris got thicker and visibility reduced, divers were reduced to ‘touch searching’.

“Advice was sought from national experts and based on the significant risk, diving activity has been paused while we pursue other technological solutions to search the water.”

In terms of the police’s ongoing actions, DI Unett added: “We are still at the quarry each day, and plan to be for the foreseeable future, where we will continue to deploy a variety of assets in our efforts to locate Toby..."

[...]

https://www.warwickshireworld.com/news/warwickshire-police-issue-update-on-missing-rugby-teenager-toby-burwell-4083790

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Poor Toby. The police have from the start remained fixed on the quarry as being where he is. I hope they manage to find him and bring closure for his family.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Toby Burwell police issue heartbreaking update on missing teen who 'went swimming in quarry'

www.msn.com

A Warwickshire teenager who vanished five weeks ago is thought to have got into difficulty while swimming alone in a quarry. Police shared a heartbreaking update yesterday (March 29) in which they said it is now believed Toby Burwell, 17, never left the water.

 

[chimpface]

Poor kid, 17 is no age at all.

RIP Toby

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

***UPDATE*** We are sad to report that a police dive team found a body in Rugby's Newbold Quarry this afternoon. Formal identification has taken place and it is understood to be that of 17-year-old Toby Burwell, who has been missing for a number of weeks.

Our thoughts remain with Toby’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We would like to thank you all for continuing to respect their privacy: http://bit.ly/3nJve2S

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid031bxy8k1h3gpKcyRJEtUhTrn8iBkXHMzHy2Xvy9WvWTs1B8y9JvBysVqGd4X6dFNTl&id=100064496897782

 

[Darling136]

He was formally identified as Toby Burwell, who had been missing from his home in Newbold-on-Avon since 20 February.

His death is not currently being treated as suspicious, Warwickshire Police said

Body of Newbold teenager missing since February found in quarry

Toby Burwell, 17, is believed to have got into difficulty while swimming in a quarry.

www.bbc.com

Found deceased

 

[Telltale]

Poor lad, he must have been incredibly hardy, I cannot imagine volenterially going into a quarry lake at night in February.

Flooding a quarry is a nice easy way to turn industrial blighted ground into pretty parkland. However this is one of the trade-offs, people see inviting, often reassuringly small lakes as safe for a swim. There are a handful of these sorts of drownings every year. Often finding the body is complicated by how deep they are and the complexities of the quarries now-underwater structure.

There's not nearly enough awareness about it. I used to swim in one all summer as a kid. It was just a little fishing lake and had a cool island in the middle. In reality its thought to be nearly 40ft deep in places, had currents and was shockingly cold a foot under the surface, even in summer. Way more dangerous than any of us realised.

 

[ex-stat]

Oh my God. Please, please do not go swimming at night in quarries alone. They are so dangerous. I know 17 year olds think they are invincible and I pass no judgement on that, we all make mistakes and it sounds like this was a mistake, that's all.

Maybe they had CCTV of him going into the area and not returning.

I don't understand how water that deep would not be hideously cold in February.

Diving of that kind must be such a hard job. I read about the 'touch' diving, that's what they had to do to locate him and I am glad that they did.

I am so glad that they searched so thoroughly and his family will not be left wondering for years or the rest of the lives. RIP Toby.

 

[Telltale]

Oh my God. Please, please do not go swimming at night in quarries alone. They are so dangerous. I know 17 year olds think they are invincible and I pass no judgement on that, we all make mistakes and it sounds like this was a mistake, that's all.

Maybe they had CCTV of him going into the area and not returning.

I don't understand how water that deep would not be hideously cold in February.

Diving of that kind must be such a hard job. I read about the 'touch' diving, that's what they had to do to locate him and I am glad that they did.

I am so glad that they searched so thoroughly and his family will not be left wondering for years or the rest of the lives. RIP Toby.

It would be hideously cold, especially considering the type of lake. Could easily trigger a gasp reflex.

Makes you wonder, if this was an unfortunate accident, where were his clothes? Did they find them by the shore and that's why they focused so hard on the lake? - I could see police holding back on that info, even if they were pretty sure he was in there, better to keep the public on a look out.

When they said he liked night swimming there, was that in winter? In summer it would still be not for the feint hearted, but I could see it. In winter it would be brutally cold, you couldn't stay in long even swimming strongly, before you started feeling the impact.

Of course if he was found in his clothes it would be a whole different story.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The parents of Toby Burwell have paid tribute to a bright, kind young man in a heartfelt statement.

17-year-old Toby disappeared from his Newbold home in February, sparking a six-week search.

And sadly, earlier this month divers recovered his body from Newbold Quarry.

Parents Tim and Alan described a bright, much-loved young man who was looking forward to an exciting future.

They said: “He was always a joy to be with and had such enthusiasm for life and all it had to offer.

“He had done so well for himself, earning top grades in his GCSEs, studying hard for his A-levels and he was determined to get to the best university he could find.

“He was passionate about skateboarding, cycling, kickboxing and RAF air cadets. He had recently discovered philosophy which he found fascinating.

“We would like to thank all who took part in the search for Toby - the police, the specific officers assigned to the case, the divers, the search and rescue teams, the fire brigade, the volunteers, and the officers from all the other forces across the country who were involved.

“We would also like to thank the public for their kind support during the search for Toby and also since he was found, and for all the expressions of sympathy which have overwhelmed us.

“This shows just how much Toby was loved and adored by everyone he met.

“Toby touched many lives, particularly ours, and it was an honour that we were given the privilege of bringing him up these past years.

“A beautiful life full of promise has been cut tragically short, and we shall miss him terribly all of our days.”

Detective Inspector Gareth Unett, who led the search, said: “All of us at Warwickshire Police have our thoughts with Tim and Alan and all those who shared a bond with Toby.

“As police we do everything we can to be able to bring people home safely.

“But sadly, sometimes the best we can do is to is to find the answers and to give support to the loved ones left behind.

“On behalf of all of us, thank you to Tim, Alan and all those close to Toby who helped with our enquiries.”

Issued by: AG, Corporate Communications.

www.warwickshire.police.uk/news/warwickshire/news/2023/april/parents-of-bright-kind-toby-burwell-pay-tribute-following-his-discovery-in-rugbys-newbold-quarry/