Missing expat’s body found in well

THE BODY of an English retiree has been found in a well belonging to a neighbour – who is in custody on suspicion of killing him.

Retired engineer David King, aged 70, had been missing from his home in Pierres, Calvados, since October – and friends had raised the alarm, alleging that local gendarmes were on the wrong track.

Members of the British expat community, fearing their friend had been murdered, told local paper La Voix – le Bocage in January that “nothing is being done to find him” and that the gendarmes had first thought Mr King was in Australia where his daughter lives – despite his passport and heart medicines being found - and then perhaps elsewhere in Europe.

But they said Mr King had not mentioned a trip, had spoken of being short of money for travel and had made plans to spend Christmas with expat friends.

Now his 28-year-old neighbour has been arrested, and has admitted a quarrel and putting Mr King’s body down his well.

Caen procureur Carole Etienne said: “We have decided to pursue the investigation, not for disappearance any more, but for intentional homicide.”

She said mounting evidence led to further investigations at Mr King’s home yesterday, where his scent was picked up by sniffer dogs. The discovery of his body led to the neighbour being taken into custody.

“In coming hours we’ll try to find out more about what happened to cause his death,” Ms Etienne said.

Mr King, who was divorced, had lived in Pierres for 15 years and is said to have led a quiet life, enjoying gardening and cooking. He had a son living in the UK and a daughter in Australia.

His car, which had also disappeared, was found in February in nearby Vire.

La Voix – le Bocage said gendarmes were initially led astray by finding that a Dave King of similar age had travelled to Australia in November last year.

Photo: www.missingabroad.org