In a devastating turn that cast a shadow over the holiday season, Lancashire Police announced on Boxing Day 2025 that a body believed to be that of missing 19-year-old Tom Dingle had been discovered in woodland on Christmas Day. The news brought a somber close to an intensive two-week search for the Lancaster University student from Appley Bridge, near Wigan, who vanished in the early hours of December 13. While formal identification was still pending, authorities stated they held no suspicion of foul play, and the case would be referred to the coroner for further inquiry.

Tom Dingle, a bright and promising young man studying at Lancaster University, was last captured on CCTV footage around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 13. The images showed him walking alone along Mill Lane in Appley Bridge, heading in the direction of the Boathouse Pub. Dressed in a black Carhartt jacket, black jeans, Doc Martens shoes, and carrying a backpack, Tom appeared unremarkable in the grainy recording—a solitary figure on a quiet village road. No one could have foreseen that this would be his final sighting.

The alarm was raised shortly after when Tom failed to return home or make contact with family or friends. His disappearance quickly escalated into a major operation involving Lancashire Police, specialist search teams, drones, police dogs, mountain rescue volunteers, and even underwater units scouring nearby waterways. Appeals flooded social media and local news, with CCTV clips widely shared in hopes of jogging memories or spotting new leads.

Tom’s family, led by his parents Peter and Susan Dingle, made emotional public pleas that tugged at the nation’s heartstrings. Susan, in particular, spoke candidly about her son’s vulnerable state of mind following a recent bereavement and traumatic event. “We just want him home as soon as possible,” she said during one appeal, her voice breaking. “We’ve even put a note on the front door so he knows he can just walk in. We’re just here to love and protect him, that’s all.” The Dingles described Tom as an intelligent, athletic young man—5ft 10in tall with short black hair—who was deeply loved and missed.

The community rallied in support. Lancaster University issued statements expressing deep concern, urging anyone with information to come forward. Neighbors, friends, and strangers organized searches, shared posters, and kept vigil. Tom’s older brother joined the appeals, painting a picture of a close-knit family shattered by uncertainty. The outpouring reflected Tom’s character: kind, studious, and well-liked, with a promising future ahead in higher education.

As days turned into weeks, hope began to fade amid the chilling winter weather. The search focused on rural paths, woodlands, and canals around Appley Bridge and nearby Dalton—areas Tom might have wandered in distress. Then, on Christmas Day afternoon, at approximately 3:12 p.m., a member of the public out for a walk stumbled upon a man’s body in dense woodland off Lees Lane in Dalton.

The discovery, on a day meant for joy and togetherness, compounded the tragedy. Emergency services responded swiftly, securing the scene while informing Tom’s family. Lancashire Police released a statement expressing profound sorrow: “This is not the outcome anybody wanted. Our thoughts are very much with Tom’s family and friends at this extremely distressing time. We would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with this devastating news.”

Authorities emphasized that the death was not being treated as suspicious, suggesting no third-party involvement. A file would be prepared for the coroner, who would determine the exact cause through postmortem examination. Speculation about accidental misfortune or personal struggles circulated quietly, but police urged restraint and compassion.

Tributes poured in almost immediately. Friends remembered Tom as thoughtful and resilient, a young man navigating the challenges of university life with quiet determination. Lancaster University reiterated support for students affected, while local communities held moments of silence. Social media filled with messages of condolence, many highlighting the cruelty of the timing— a family facing unimaginable loss on Christmas.

The case underscored broader concerns about mental health among young adults, especially during transitional periods like university. Tom’s described vulnerability resonated with many, prompting renewed calls for accessible support services. In the wake of the news, organizations amplified helplines, reminding those in crisis that help is available.

As 2025 drew to a close, the story of Tom Dingle served as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility. A promising student, a loving son and brother, gone too soon. His family’s grief, shared publicly in their desperate search, now transformed into private mourning. The woodland discovery brought closure, albeit heartbreaking, allowing healing to begin amid the community’s embrace.

In the quiet villages of West Lancashire, Tom’s memory lingers—a young life full of potential, cut short on a cold December night. As the new year approaches, thoughts remain with the Dingles, hoping they find strength in cherished memories and the love that surrounded Tom always.