Missing Harlow man Bradley Wernham found dead in Hertfordshire field

TRIBUTES: Bradley Wernham

A MAN who was last seen in Harlow on November 18 was found dead five days later in Hertfordshire, it has emerged. Missing posters appealing for information about the whereabouts of Bradley Wernham, 27, from Harlow went up after he was last seen in the early hours of Sunday at The Plume of Feathers Pub at Pye Corner, Harlow, near Gilston, over the border with Hertfordshire. He was reported missing to Essex Police the next day. But, the search was called off after a body was found near Gilston, Hertfordshire, on Friday, November 23 at 1pm.

LAST SIGHTING: The Plume of Feathers Pub

Mr Wernham was well known in the town and worked at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in the town, according to his Facebook profile. Tributes have poured in for him on Facebook, where he was referred to as a cheeky chap, and a shrine has been set up at the Stow Shopping Centre. Jordan Builds wrote: "Rest in peace Bradley Wernham much missed mate had some good old laughs down the copper such a shame such a nice bloke to be taken from us hope your having a good beer up there mate gone but never forgotten." Samantha Shaw added: "RIP Bradley Wernham. You will be forever in my heart." His partner Louise Upton also left a number of emotional messages for him on the social media site.

SHRINE: A memorial has been set up to Bradley at this tree at The Stow shopping centre

Others questioned why that had not been more publicity about him going missing and his subsequent death from police. One Facebook post said: "Is anyone else intrigued as to why Bradley Wernham's death hasn’t hit the media? "On the same night he was found dead, a fight kicked off outside a pub and that was broadcast on the news, yet the death of a young man suspicious or not has gone seemingly unnoticed like it’s nothing."

MUGSHOT: Bradley in younger days in a police picture

Mr Wernham gained noteriety aged 19 in 2010 when he was branded one of the countries most prolific burglars, who stole from 700 properties in a £1 million crime spree. He made national headlines when a judge spared him prison, only to be back before the courts four years later on freash burglary charges. Some Facebook users suggested police had not searched for him as much as they could have because of his criminal past. One said: "The authorities were quick enough to plaster his face over the papers when they wanted him in connection with crime, it seems like another one bites the dust in their eyes."

MISSING: Unofficial posters that were put up during the search

An Essex Police spokesman said: "A 27-year-old man from Harlow was reported as missing on November 19 and we carried out enquiries to try and find him. "The search was suspended following the discovery of a man’s body near Gilston in Hertfordshire on November 23." The death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious and an inquest will take place. A Hertfordshire Police spokesman said: "Police responded to reports that the body of a man had been found in a field near Gilston just after 1pm on Friday, November 23. "Officers attended and sadly a 27 year old man from Essex was pronounced dead at the scene. "His death is currently being treated as unexplained but not suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner."