Gwent Police has been cleared in an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission into how it dealt with the disappearance of 64-year-old Leonard Hill.
Mr Hill was reported missing to the police on June 21 2011. He was found dead on June 25 at his neighbour David Cook’s home in Tan Y Bryn, Rhymney. Cook, already a convicted murderer, has been convicted and sentenced to a whole life term for Mr Hill’s murder.
The IPCC investigation into how Gwent Police dealt with the missing person report found the force’s response was proportionate and followed policy.
On 21 June 2011, 64-year-old Mr Hill was reported missing to the police by his social worker after he had failed to attend a local day centre since 14 June. Mr Hill was designated a high-risk missing person because of his age and his disappearance was out of character.
IPCC Commissioner for Wales Tom Davies said: “My sympathies are with Mr Hill’s family and friends at what must be a very distressing time for them.
“Our investigation focussed on how Gwent Police dealt with the circumstances leading up to the discovery of Mr Hill’s body and found that police officers and staff dealt properly with the missing person report.”