Body confirmed as that of missing teenager Ross Haughey

3:27pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in New Forest Photograph of the Author By Jenny Makin, Crime Reporter

Body confirmed as that of missing teen Body confirmed as that of missing teen

A BODY found in the New Forest yesterday has this afternoon been confirmed as that of missing teenager Ross Haughey.

The 17-year-old was found yesterday, three days after he failed to return home after leaving to go for a walk on Sunday afternoon.

Police and specialist search volunteers have spent days looking for the Burgate School A-level student across a large swathe of forest land where Ross used to enjoy walking and running.

Yesterday they were joined by dozens of Ross's fellow pupils and teachers from the sixth form who have already spearheaded a massive internet campaign to try and find Ross reaching millions of people.

But the large scale search was halted around 3pm yesterday when a member of the public called 999 to say they had found a body near to Linwood.

Hampshire's air ambulance was called in and could be seen hovering in the distance from Abbotswell car park in Frogham, which had been the base of search operations to find the teenager since the start of the week.

Since the find, Ross's parents Brian and Penny and his older brother Max have had to brace themselves for the worst.

In a statement, his family said: “The tragic news of our much-loved son Ross has devastated our family, relatives and friends. This has been the hardest thing that we have ever had to cope with.
 

“Ross was quiet, intelligent and had achieved excellent GCSE exam results which he was very proud of. He was doing well in his sixth form A-level studies.
 

“Ross loved his running and was proud to represent the Hampshire area and also did well in the 10 kilometre runs.
 

“We were overwhelmed by all the offers of help to search for Ross in the New Forest. We cannot thank everyone enough and would like to send our special thanks to relatives, friends and neighbours, the police and voluntary search crews as well as the Burgate School and sixth form that took part in the search.
 

“We miss Ross desperately at this time and would ask that you continue to respect our privacy.”

Comments(32)

red/whitearmy says...
3:33pm Thu 28 Feb 13

So sorry to hear this. Condolonces to Ross's Family and Friends at this distraught time.

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The Mad Dog says...
3:37pm Thu 28 Feb 13

So sorry to hear such sad news. My condolences to all of Ross's Family and Friends.

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commonsence says...
3:41pm Thu 28 Feb 13

So So sorry to hear this sad news. I was hoping and praying that he would be found safe . My condolences to the family and friends of Ross ****

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CharlieOxbridge says...
3:47pm Thu 28 Feb 13

What a sad week. First the news that a 16 year old gear was killed on a scooter and now another young life with everything in front of them has been lost.
.
Makes you step back and re-evaluate.
.
Obviously my condolences to both families.

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red/whitearmy says...
3:48pm Thu 28 Feb 13

I spent all of yesterday afternoon searching for Ross in the hope of me or some one finding him trapped or hurt some where. You never want this type of outcome. The area we searched was massive .

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jade25 says...
3:58pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Another sad story this week about an incocent youngster! RIP Ross.

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downfader says...
4:04pm Thu 28 Feb 13

RIP. Poor lad.

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Piston_Broke says...
4:34pm Thu 28 Feb 13

A very sad outcome. My thoughts are with the bereaved family, and all friends and schoolmates of Ross. The fact that despite police and specialist Search & Rescue teams launching such a large scale operation, it still took a member of the public to find him, indicates just how large an area needed to be searched. I too was looking yesterday, not in the right area as it turned out, but felt it was the least I could do. R.I.P. Ross.

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blahblahbleurgh says...
4:40pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Rip ross condolences to his family and friends. i have so much respect for the people who helped search for him. Communities come together when it matters

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djd says...
4:47pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Thoughts and prayers to the family. Many thanks to all who helped in the search for Ross. You are special people.

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large_cheese says...
5:10pm Thu 28 Feb 13

What a shame, and indeed a week to forget all round!

RIP

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MyFairLady says...
6:04pm Thu 28 Feb 13

What an absolutely horrible week for two families here in the south. I can't begin to think of how they are coping. Both teenagers were in the prime of their lives and will be so sadly missed. My thoughts go out to both sets of families and friends at such a desperate time. Hope they both rest in peace.

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renea says...
6:15pm Thu 28 Feb 13

I can't even begin to imagine how his family and close friends must be feeling, and I hope I never have to. So so sorry for this dreadful outcome, my thoughts are with you all.

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ruthieru27 says...
6:42pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Can anyone confirm that this was not a murder case or sinister act? It's rather frightening that this hasn't been mentioned?

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Couchy125 says...
6:57pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Condolences to the family at this very sad time. RIP ROSS.

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H2o-hara says...
7:19pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Heartfelt sympathy goes out to all !

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IronLady2010 says...
7:35pm Thu 28 Feb 13

My thoughts and Love go out to Ross' family and friends. RIP young man. xx

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Stillness says...
8:16pm Thu 28 Feb 13

ruthieru27 wrote:
Can anyone confirm that this was not a murder case or sinister act? It's rather frightening that this hasn't been mentioned?
Your concern (for yourself) is overwhelming.

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TedMacsCherryPants says...
8:21pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Sincere condolences to Ross' family.
A very sad week indeed for this part of the South, RIP Ross.

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Richard IV says...
9:27pm Thu 28 Feb 13

RIP Ross & Jade....heartbreakin
g week.Thoughts with both familys at this very sad time.

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ReverendPaul says...
9:33pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Very sad day for his family and friends. All of whom will need support over the coming weeks, so lets keen Ross, his family and friends in our prayers.support for those bereaved unexpectedly. www.sebsbereavements
ervices.btck.co.uk

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ruthieru27 says...
10:13pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Stillness wrote:
ruthieru27 wrote:
Can anyone confirm that this was not a murder case or sinister act? It's rather frightening that this hasn't been mentioned?
Your concern (for yourself) is overwhelming.
I was expecting a remark like that from someone as I simply asked a question!!! Actually my dear its not concern for myself but being a mother myself one tends to worry somewhat when a child has died. Also being a mother I can't possibly imagine what hell this poor boys parents are going through and I feel for them.
I do however, when one lives near to such situations, feel a sense of anguish as to whether there is a suspicion about this case so as to keep our own children safer!!!
I do wish people would lessen their ignorance when someone writes a question! Instead of seeing the surface perhaps look deeper into the question a to why a parent would ask such things!!!!!

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IronLady2010 says...
10:31pm Thu 28 Feb 13

ruthieru27 wrote:
Stillness wrote:
ruthieru27 wrote:
Can anyone confirm that this was not a murder case or sinister act? It's rather frightening that this hasn't been mentioned?
Your concern (for yourself) is overwhelming.
I was expecting a remark like that from someone as I simply asked a question!!! Actually my dear its not concern for myself but being a mother myself one tends to worry somewhat when a child has died. Also being a mother I can't possibly imagine what hell this poor boys parents are going through and I feel for them.
I do however, when one lives near to such situations, feel a sense of anguish as to whether there is a suspicion about this case so as to keep our own children safer!!!
I do wish people would lessen their ignorance when someone writes a question! Instead of seeing the surface perhaps look deeper into the question a to why a parent would ask such things!!!!!
I'm sure you'll join me in saying this isn't the time to argue. Emotions are running high and we all wish to respect the family and friends. xx

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AngelicaBostock says...
11:01pm Thu 28 Feb 13

I too send my condolences to the family, my heart goes out to them for their loss, however I have a nephew who attends burgate school and a large family who live around the area with children, we are desperately concerned that their maybe a murderer on the loose and the news and media have done nothing to waylay those fears. My dad has told me to be vigilant and not open the doors to strangers, and we are keeping out eyes and ears open for an up date. This is a close nit community.

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spyathome says...
7:33am Fri 1 Mar 13

As a rule, after a murder the Police will say if they are looking for a suspect, or if they think there are suspicious circumstances. They are not. This is not a murder.

There are now press rules on these sort of deaths, and they keep quite about the cause for a reason to prevent other teens from copying them.

The selfless, me-too!, dumb hysteria of a couple of posts is pretty insensitive to the family who must be going trough hell.

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Letcommonsenseprevail says...
7:51am Fri 1 Mar 13

IronLady2010 wrote:
ruthieru27 wrote:
Stillness wrote:
ruthieru27 wrote: Can anyone confirm that this was not a murder case or sinister act? It's rather frightening that this hasn't been mentioned?
Your concern (for yourself) is overwhelming.
I was expecting a remark like that from someone as I simply asked a question!!! Actually my dear its not concern for myself but being a mother myself one tends to worry somewhat when a child has died. Also being a mother I can't possibly imagine what hell this poor boys parents are going through and I feel for them. I do however, when one lives near to such situations, feel a sense of anguish as to whether there is a suspicion about this case so as to keep our own children safer!!! I do wish people would lessen their ignorance when someone writes a question! Instead of seeing the surface perhaps look deeper into the question a to why a parent would ask such things!!!!!
I'm sure you'll join me in saying this isn't the time to argue. Emotions are running high and we all wish to respect the family and friends. xx
You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. This isn't the time...........

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BournemouthMum says...
8:31am Fri 1 Mar 13

Stillness wrote:
ruthieru27 wrote:
Can anyone confirm that this was not a murder case or sinister act? It's rather frightening that this hasn't been mentioned?
Your concern (for yourself) is overwhelming.
I agree. And I think we can all surmise from what we have read that it wasn't a 'sinister act'.

As a mother of a 17 year old boy myself, my thoughts are with his family who must be devastated. Condolences to them.

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rozmister says...
11:34am Fri 1 Mar 13

AngelicaBostock wrote:
I too send my condolences to the family, my heart goes out to them for their loss, however I have a nephew who attends burgate school and a large family who live around the area with children, we are desperately concerned that their maybe a murderer on the loose and the news and media have done nothing to waylay those fears. My dad has told me to be vigilant and not open the doors to strangers, and we are keeping out eyes and ears open for an up date. This is a close nit community.
How hysterical - if it was a murder case where other people were at risk the police would release information that was enough to make people aware straight away. The fact they HAVEN'T said anything makes it quite clear there is nothing for you to worry about.

The poor family seeing these comments panicking about a murderer on the loose. By all means express your worries around the school gates if you see fit but it's disgusting seeing it on here where the family can read it.

I feel so much for Ross's family and Ross himself. Sometimes it's truly very hard being a teenager and it's such a shame that some teenagers don't make it through to become adults because of this. I only hope the happy memories the family have can be of some comfort to them at this time. xx

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melaniecobbs says...
1:37pm Fri 1 Mar 13

I send this family my condolences at this very sad time ...its too awful to comprehend the loss of a child and yet two families are going through such a loss this week rip children x

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melaniecobbs says...
1:37pm Fri 1 Mar 13

I send this family my condolences at this very sad time ...its too awful to comprehend the loss of a child and yet two families are going through such a loss this week rip children x

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red/whitearmy says...
2:28pm Fri 1 Mar 13

It will be interesting to know how Ross passed away. When i was down there searching for him , I was speaking to his school friends who told me that he was very mature , looked after him self , loved the forest and loved to go for walks through and he knew the area. He was experienced and even had a back pack with some clothes , food and drink. So with all this i do wonder how he died. The amount of walks he went on and he always returned home yet this time he never did. Very sad yet curious .

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suzigirl says...
3:35pm Fri 1 Mar 13

The deaths of these two young people are very tragic but very different and my thoughts are with both families......

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