Police in Switzerland hunting for missing British hiker Aidan Roche discovered a body near the mountain track where he was last seen alive.
Aidan was last heard from on June 22 while on a solo hike in Switzerland’s Grindelwald region, just two days before he was scheduled to return to the UK. Authorities have initiated a search for the missing 29-year-old man, with his family and friends pleading for his safe return.
However, authorities have discovered a body on the mountain, and Aiden’s family believes it is that of the young guy from Middlesbrough, Teesside. Swiss police and the mountain rescue service called it quits on their hunt earlier this year, claiming that they had “exhausted every option” and had received no new evidence. This prompted his “extremely worried” family and friends to establish a GoFundMe campaign in the hopes of generating new leads in the search effort.
Connor, Aiden’s older brother, previously described him as “a character” who can “talk to absolutely everyone and just make friends with anyone.” According to Teesside Live, loving tributes to the chemical engineer have subsequently been paid on Facebook. “I’m so sorry for your loss,” one individual remarked. My sincere sympathies to Aidan’s family and friends during this difficult time.” “Sending love and deepest sympathy to you and your entire family,” said another.
Connor, 32, said on Facebook: “We received the news last week that the police in Switzerland had found Aidan near the trail he was walking. The news has hit us all hard, even with this outcome on our minds over the last few months.
“On behalf of my entire family, I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped us through all of this. The outpouring of support from so many people has got us through all of the uncertainty and anguish and shows just how loved Aidan was. For all the messages of support, the sharing of Aidan’s pictures and posters online, and the donations to aid in finding him, you have our deepest gratitude. All of this helped to bring him home to us. Thank you so much.”
Speaking last month, a fellow hiker, who met the chemical engineer on the day he vanished, said he “was in good spirits”. Rochelle, who did not want to give her last name, continued: “He was in good spirits and was chatting about his walk from the day before.” The pair parted when she took a turn to Alpiglen and he continued along the Eiger Trail.
