A young boxer, Jack Ayres, was seen walking in the area where his body was later found, just hours before someone reported seeing him in the water.
This week, the Avon and Somerset Police Department shared the tragic news on its website that a resident, Jack Ayres had died. The 22-year-old boxer’s body was recovered last week from a rhyne near Street in Somerset.
On March 3, 2025, at around 1:45 p.m., someone called the police to report a man’s body lying in the water near Sharpham Drove. The man was formally identified as Ayres. He was last seen that day at 2:30 a.m., walking along Sharpham Drove.
Police have since reached out to his family to piece together the final hours leading up to his death. In a statement, the athlete’s family said, “Nothing can put into words how we are all feeling right now. Jack was a much-loved son, grandson, brother, cousin, nephew and boyfriend.”
Their statement continued, “We know that nothing will bring Jack back, but we just want to try and understand the lead up to his passing.”
Detective Chief Inspector Clement Goodwin expressed his condolences to Ayres’ family, saying, “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Jack’s devastated family.”
Goodwin assured them that authorities would do everything possible to provide answers about the moments leading up to Ayres’ death. He revealed that police had reviewed footage from nearby properties to determine if any relevant evidence could be found.
Providing more insight into the case, he added, “The lack of any physical injuries would suggest the circumstances of his death are most likely to be non-suspicious, but we are treating it as unexplained while further enquiries [sic] are carried out on behalf of the coroner.”
He urged motorists who were in the area that day to check their dashcam footage and to come forward if they found anything that could assist with the investigation. “Any information would be gratefully received as it may be able to help us provide Jack’s family with greater clarity around what happened,” Goodwin stated.
Ayres, who was around 6 feet tall, with light brown hair and blue eyes, was wearing dark clothing when he was last seen.
A post-mortem examination determined that his preliminary cause of death was drowning. The examination also confirmed that there were no signs of physical injuries.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 101 and provide the reference number 5225055350 to the call handler. Or they can submit any details via an online appeals form.