Body found in disused Coventry churchyard thought to be missing student

Ozi Akerele , who went missing on 31, 2015. A body found in a disused churchyard in Coventry is thought to be that of missing student Ozi Akerele. Officers were called after human remains were found by a member of the public in dense undergrowth off Albert Fearn Gardens in Foleshill, on Thursday. West Midlands Police believe the body to be that of 24-year-old Ozi who disappeared after a night out with friends in the early hours of January 31, 2015.

He had only been in the country for a few weeks after starting a masters degree in management and information technology at Coventry University.

Police said formal identification was still to take place and that Ozi’s family have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A post mortem examination carried out on Friday was inconclusive and further tests will be carried out to establish the cause of death, although detectives do not believe it to be suspicious.

Detectives believe he lost his way home in freezing temperatures.

Numerous searches had been carried out in the area and in the canals following Ozi’s disappearance.

His mother had also travelled from his native Nigeria to Coventry to make an emotional plea on the first anniversary of his disappearance.

The disused churchyard, which can be seen from Old Church Road, is now overgrown and has beer cans and other rubbish thrown over the fence.