BREAKING NEWS: Body found in pond next to Conquest Hospital

Police were called there yesterday evening (Tuesday) after a dog walker made the gruesome discovery.

Officers who attended the scene at 7pm discovered that the area around the pond was extremely boggy and hazardous and as a result they called upon colleagues from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to assist with the recovery of the body.

Detective Inspector Hannah Willard said: “Sadly, we believe that the man is 47-year-old Gary Baker who was reported missing after leaving the hospital on Thursday (April 25). A post mortem will take place to establish the cause of his death, but until that time, we are treating it as unexplained.”

Mr Baker left his belongings behind when he discharged himself from the hospital last week after an operation.

Friends and family had not heard from him since, and yesterday (Tuesday) police sent out a message urging him to contact the hospital to receive the medication he needed following surgery.