Police searching for a missing 82-year-old farmer have today found a body.
Officers confirmed teams were deployed to a field in the village of Langford, Bedfordshire last Saturday after a tip-off suggesting Brian Wright had died.
They found the body yesterday but recovery work was completed today.
They had been searching for the missing man and while formal identification is yet to take place, officers have contacted his family.
The grim find comes just days after police uncovered the body of a 52-year-old man, believed to be Mr Wright’s son, Charles Wright, inside an outbuilding off the A1133 in Langford.
Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: ‘This is clearly a deeply tragic case, and we are continuing to support family members at this extremely difficult time.
‘We again ask the media and public to respect their privacy as they come to terms with recent events.
‘I would like to thank everyone who shared our appeals to locate Brian since he went missing, as well as our search teams for their professionalism and dedication over the last few days.
Charles Wright, 52, is believed to have taken his own life after killing his father
Farmer and parish councillor Brian Wright, 82, was described as a pillar of the community
‘A post-mortem examination and formal identification will be carried out in due course and a file prepared for the coroner.’
His death is not being treated as suspicious – but is believed to be linked to the disappearance of Brian Wright, a local parish councillor and church fundraiser who was reported missing from the area on Thursday, Nottinghamshire police said.
The finding sparked Nottinghamshire police to launch a suspected murder-suicide
As reported by the Mail, Charles, a divorced father of three, is understood to have lived in the nearby village of Winthorpe.
In a message to neighbours his brother James Wright said his father’s disappearance was ‘totally out of character’ and followed an argument with his brother.
He said on Saturday morning, while out for a run with a friend, his brother Charles hit them both with his car ‘doing about 30mph’ in an apparent attempt to kill them.
James suffered bruising while his friend suffered a broken leg. Neighbours said he told them his brother then got out of his car with a weapon to ‘to finish me off’.
He said he had a second attempt with the car to kill him but he escaped into a garden.
A source, who did not want to be named, said police then took the family, including Mr Wright Senior’s wife, into protective custody, before telling them that Charles Wright had admitted to killing Brian Wright over the argument on Thursday, and then took his own life fairly soon after on Saturday.
Nottinghamshire police has referred itself to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of officers’ previous contact with family members.
Police at the farm near Newark, Nottinghamshire on Tuesday morning
Teams have been deployed to the area and were conducting searches on Tuesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those affected by this tragic incident.
‘An investigation into the circumstances surrounding this death is ongoing.
‘However, I’d like to reassure members of the community that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
‘At this early stage, we believe all parties to be known to each other and there is no wider threat to the public.
‘We would also ask the public to respect the privacy of family members at what is an incredibly difficult time for them. They are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘We have also referred ourselves to the IOPC – a mandatory step because of officers’ previous contact with family members.
‘Officers remain in the area to carry out a range of inquiries. Anyone with any concerns is encouraged to speak to an officer on duty.’
People living nearby expressed their shock. Mr Wright had long served as a churchwarden at St Bartholomew’s Church in Langford and also served on Winthorpe with Langford Parish Council.
A local, who didn’t want to be named, said: ‘It’s like something from a TV drama. Things like this don’t really happen in a village like this.
‘Brian’s farm is set a little way from the village so you might not be privy to everything that happens, all the ins and outs, and you never really know what goes on behind closed doors, but no-one around here can believe it.
‘They have always seemed like a lovely family. Brian’s father – so Charles’ grandfather – owned the farm before Brian and handed it down, so it has been in the family for 70-odd years.
‘Brian lives there with his wife Judith, who has been unwell with dementia, and they have three sons. It’s an arable farm.
Another resident added: ‘We can’t imagine what could have happened to spark this. We can only think it is something to do with an inheritance, or money.
‘Brian was a good man. He was a parish councillor and a big churchgoer, and raised lots of money for the local church through ploughing matches on his farm.
‘He was a pillar of the community, really. If you ever needed something, he would help.
His son Charles Wright, 52, was found dead on Saturday. He is believed to have taken his own life
‘We didn’t really see much of Charles as he lived in the next village, but I know he used to be a pretty good blacksmith.
‘We haven’t a clue what could have happened to him. The River Trent runs very close to here, so that is a possibility sadly. It’s very tragic, for the whole family.’
Paul Smith, chairman on the parish council, told the Daily Mail he could not comment. He said: ‘I want to respect the families wishes. It is a very difficult time for family in the area and those who knew him.’
One 78-year-old neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he had known Brian Wright since he was four years old.
The man said: ‘I was absolutely shocked. I knew Brian from when we were both at junior school together. That’s how far back we go.
‘I knew his father Charles, the farm still bears his name.
‘Brian was a big church man and the last time I saw him was three weeks ago for Sunday service at the church in Holme.’
Police said anyone with information that could assist the investigation should call 101, quoting incident number 193 of 22 November 2025, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.’
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details
