Body found at Helmsley identified as student teacher at York school

A body found in Helmsley is that of a student teacher at a York school who has been missing for seven months.

Police were contacted on Saturday afternoon (7 September) by a member of the public saying that a body had been found in woodland near to Cowhouse Bank car park, Helmsley.

Officers attended and confirmed the body is believed to be that of Nicholas Harper, 50, who has been missing since February.

Although formal identification has yet to take place, Mr Harper’s family have been informed. Police do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Vehicle found

Mr Harper, 50, from Pickering, was working at a York school when he went missing.

He was last seen when he left for his work placement at Archbishop Holgate’s School on the morning of Thursday 7 February.

His vehicle was later found at Cowhouse Wood and police searched the area at that time but did not find anything.

In a school newsletter in February, Archbishop Holgate’s headteacher Andrew Daly wrote:

• You may be aware that we have a member of our school community missing at the moment, Mr Harper, an ITT student on placement in the science department.

  Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time and we continue to pray for his safe return.

  Support is available in school for any students and staff who are affected.
  

The family of Mr Harper have requested that their privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.