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Police issue major update as body found in search for prisoner who vanished 15 days ago
Reach Daily Express | January 23, 2026 7:40 PM CST

A body has been found during the search for a report of a missing man from Haverigg Prison have found a body. John Hosker, 43, disappeared from HMP Haverigg in Cumbria on January 8 after being allowed off-site for a work duty commitment.

Last night, Cumbria Police confirmed that a body was discovered earlier in the day at Holme Knott following a call from a member of the public. The body has not yet been formally identified, but Hosker's family have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious.

A Cumbria Police spokesperson said: "Police investigating a report of a missing man from Haverigg Prison have found a body.

"The body was found at 2.05pm today at Holme Knott, Sedbergh, after a call from a member of the public.

"The man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time. The family of John Hosker, reported missing on 8 January, have been informed."

Hosker was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2019 after committing a child sex offence, but Cumbria Police maintained he was not a threat to others.

During the search last week, Det Supt Vicki Coombes said he was last seen in the Sedbergh area - where the body was found at around 2.05pm yesterday.

A prison service spokesperson said at the time: "Prisoners who fail to return following temporary release face strict punishments, including a return to a closed prison and being prevented from moving to open conditions for up to two years."


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