Body found in search for missing jogger

A body has been found in the search for a 23-year-old runner who went missing five days ago, police said.

Jenny Hall, 23, was last seen leaving her home at Barracks Farm, Tow Law, County Durham, on Tuesday.

Her red Ford Focus was found parked on the B6278 between Eggleston and Stanhope on Wednesday.

Durham Police said a body was found in a “very remote area of Teesdale” shortly after 9.30am on Sunday.

Ch Insp Dean Haythornthwaite said police had become “increasingly concerned” for Ms Hall since she was reported missing and had “been exploring all lines of enquiry, including dozens from members of the public”.

The search has included police, mountain rescue teams, specialist drones, sniffer dogs, and HM Coastguard air support, focusing on Hamsterley Forest and nearby running trails.

The long-distance runner had been known to regularly run through Hamsterley Forest, which covers 4,942 acres.

‘Area size biggest challenge’

Rescue volunteer Peter Bell told the BBC that the area had been a challenge to search.

“The biggest challenge is the area size itself. The terrain is muddy and boggy,” he said.

Hamsterley Forest was created by Forestry England in the 1920s, with part of the area used for lumber production. The area is also popular with walkers and cyclists.

A spokesman said officers had carried out an “extensive search alongside specialist partners” and had been working around the clock to locate Jenny after she went missing shortly after 3pm on Feb 18.

Formal identification has yet to take place, they added and specialist officers are currently supporting Ms Hall’s family.

It is not believed there are any suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Digital intelligence officers were also involved in conducting extensive inquiries into Ms Hall’s mobile phone, smart watch and running apps.

‘Invaluable assistance’

Teesdale and Weardale search and mountain rescue team, who led the search alongside the police, had covered 60 miles of paths and tracks by Friday.

They also searched the surrounding areas, where there are a number of running trails.

More than a dozen mountain rescue team members were called in to scour the area and on Saturday a total of seven drones, 10 mountain rescue dogs and more than 60 volunteers were involved in the search.

Durham Constabulary thanked expert mountain rescue teams for working “intensively” alongside officers on the ground to search for the runner, including Teesdale and Weardale search and mountain rescue team, Penrith mountain rescue team and Wasdale mountain rescue team.

A spokesperson for Teesdale and Weardale search and mountain rescue team added: “Many thanks to the local farmers and gamekeepers who have provided invaluable assistance over the last two days and also to Cleveland mountain rescue team, Kirkby Stephen mountain rescue team, Swaledale Mountain rescue team, North of Tyne mountain rescue team and Northumberland National Park mountain rescue team.”