Remains of a 63-year-old man who went missing in 2010 have been found in Essex, it has emerged.

East Anglian Daily Times: The junction of the A13 with the A126 where Mr Forrest's remains were found Picture: GOOGLE MAPSThe junction of the A13 with the A126 where Mr Forrest's remains were found Picture: GOOGLE MAPS (Image: Archant)

Police said skeletal remains discovered by road workers near the A13 are that of dementia sufferer Michael Forrest, from Chelmsford.

Mr Forrest was last seen near his home in Ockleford Avenue at around 8am on December 7, 2010.

Despite large-scale searches, he was never found.

Highways England workers discovered a human skull near the A126/A13 junction on January 3.

Further searches were carried out in a wooded area between the two roads and the Lakeside Sports Ground.

The rest of Mr Forrest’s skeletal remains were discovered yesterday.

His family were informed, and his death is being treated as unexplained.

Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings from Essex Police said: “Mr Forrest’s death is being treated as unexplained but there is no evidence anyone else was involved.

“This is a tragic discovery and my heart goes out to his family.

“I hope it will bring them some closure though and give them some answers about what happened to their loved one.”

Officers believe Mr Forrest left his home back in 2010 and travelled by bus to the Lakeside shopping centre.

The 63-year-old was reported missing after he failed to return home and missed two hospital appointments.

More than 100 officers were involved in searches and over 8,000 letters and missing posters were delivered to residents and businesses.

A further 700 letters and posters were distributed to drivers of vehicles known to have been in the area when Mr Forrest was last seen.

More than 200 house-to-house enquiries were carried out.

Officers obtained more than 50 witness statements, watched over 250 hours of CCTV footage and searched 26 separate areas – including water near Lakeside.