The family of a college student is facing immense sorrow after authorities discovered a body during an extensive search. Connor Calleja, aged 20, went missing following an incident where he was reportedly turned away from a nightclub in Lincoln during the early hours of Sunday, January 11, as confirmed by his family.
In a poignant video, his stepfather John Lewis, known for sharing his sailing escapades on YouTube and Facebook with a large following, made a heartfelt plea for Connor to return home just hours before the tragic news emerged. He shared the emotional video on Facebook on Tuesday morning, appealing for assistance in locating their son.
Expressing deep emotions, he implored, “Connor, please come back home to us. Please return. Whatever the reason for your absence, whether embarrassment or feeling at fault, it doesn’t matter. Just come home. You have done nothing wrong; perhaps you got lost or ended up at a friend’s place. Please come back. Reach out to someone.”
“We have transferred funds to your account in case you need assistance getting to wherever you are heading. Don’t fret about that. We have included our contact numbers in the transaction details. Please get in touch with us, Connor.”
It is believed that Connor was out celebrating a friend’s birthday on January 10. According to John, Connor was denied entry at the popular student venue, Home Nightclub, for being intoxicated. Allegedly, he was provided with a water bottle and instructed to leave by the establishment’s staff.
“He was at a nightclub,” John clarified in a previous video. “Regrettably, he was denied entry, so he tried to navigate back to his residence. The last recorded sighting of him was on CCTV at 1:50 am on University Bridge, and since then, he has not been seen.”
Despite the ongoing search operation, the nightclub promoted its hen packages on their Facebook page on Tuesday. The Mirror has reached out to Home Nightclub for comments.
Tragically, shortly after John’s final social media post, where he praised Connor’s mother Lisa for her remarkable strength in the face of adversity, authorities discovered a body believed to be that of the missing 20-year-old student in a body of water near the Brayford Pool.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Lincolnshire Police stated, “While formal identification is pending, we believe that the recovered body is that of 20-year-old Connor.” The authorities assured that the family has been notified and is receiving support from trained personnel. No suspicious circumstances are suspected, and the family’s privacy is requested to be respected during this challenging period.
The University of Lincoln expressed its condolences, describing Mr. Calleja as a cherished member of their community. The institution acknowledged the shock and sorrow felt by many staff and students due to the tragic development, urging everyone to support each other during this difficult time.
The students’ union conveyed deep sadness in response to the news, emphasizing the availability of support for those affected directly or indirectly by the situation. They encouraged individuals to seek assistance if coping becomes challenging.
For emotional assistance, individuals can contact the Samaritans 24-hour helpline at 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a local Samaritans branch, or access their website.
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