TRAGIC FIND 

Human remains found in search for ‘much-loved’ dad, 68, who disappeared 13 years ago after being dropped home by taxi

COPS have discovered human remains in the search for a 68-year-old dad who disappeared 13 years ago.

Kevin Judge had been dropped off at home in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, by a taxi in 2013 but was never seen since.

Extensive enquiries had been carried out in the years following Kevin’s disappearance on April 15, 2013.

An urgent investigation was launched after human remains were discovered at Kiln Lane in Emley, Huddersfield, on January 14 this year.

Cops have now confirmed the remains found are that of Kevin, from Lupset, who was reported missing over a decade ago.

Kevin’s remains were found in January in a wooded area, his family has confirmed.

The much-loved dad was identified from dental records and a set of house keys found at the scene, his family said.

West Yorkshire Police told Kevin’s family that they do not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Kevin’s daughter Louise Wilson said that she felt some relief to finally find out what happened to her father.

She told Yorkshire Live she felt “some relief” at the “bitter sweet” news, adding: “I thought he had been killed. It was just strange him disappearing.

“It’s a mystery why he has gone that way. He loved walking, but why he went there I don’t know.”

She described him as a “typical Yorkshire bloke” and a witty man who enjoyed visiting pubs in Wakefield city centre and who was “a bit of a character”.

Louise said she does not know why he ended up in woodland near Emley as the location was not on his usual bus route.

However, she told the outlet that he may have been suffering from the early stages of dementia, although he hadn’t been diagnosed with the condition.

The family is now planning a funeral and are expecting a coroner’s inquest to be held into Kevin’s death.

Detective Superintendent Damian Roebuck from the Homicide and Major Investigation Team said: “Following the discovery made in January we have worked with a number of experts to carry out tests, and we are now confident that these remains have been identified and that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

“Kevin’s family are being supporting by specialist officers and I hope this development may start to bring them some closure following the long-running investigation into his disappearance.

“A file will now be prepared for the coroner.”