POLICE have tonight confirmed the body of a man found in a Hampshire field is that of missing man Kieran Smith.
Officers made the discovery this morning and sealed off part of Ranvilles Lane, Fareham.
Hampshire police confirmed they have spoken with the family of Kieran, 24, and the coroner has been informed.
The death is not being treated as suspicious.
His death is also being referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as part of standard procedure following police contact.
The road was closed off close to the RSPCA Stubbington Ark rescue centre.
The 24-year-old went missing on March 10 and prompted a co-ordinated search from family, friends and police.
Police have scoured CCTV, spoken to friends, checked phone records, questioned fishermen at local lakes and contacted homeless shelters and hospitals.
A Facebook group – Help Find Kieran Smith – was also set up while friends were out in Fareham putting up posters and handing out leaflets.
The bricklayer, who had been out of work since Christmas, left his passport and driving licence at home.
A police spokesman confirmed a body had been found in the search for the missing man and that a post mortem would take place later today.
The spokesman said: “Police are now working to identify the man and the circumstances surrounding his death, however at this stage this is not believed to be suspicious.
“The family of Kieran Smith have been informed of the discovery.”
At least three police cars, forensics and two teams from Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) are currently at the scene.
Brown paper evidence bags and a metal box were taken though the cordon by officers and forensics teams are searching a bungalow.
Teams from SSE say they were asked to attend by the police.
They are waiting outside the cordon while police scour the area.
A SSE spokesman said: "A body of a man was discovered this morning by an employee who was on a routine tree cutting patrol in the Fareham area.
"He immediately reported it to Hampshire Police and we are helping them with their enquiries."
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