by Alan Quick

IT was confirmed late on Thursday, January 18, that the body found earlier this week in woodland near where a Crediton man went missing off Cha-am beach in Thailand on December 30 is that of Martin Wood.

Martin (48) was last seen leaving the Dream Boutique Hotel, Petcharburi, 76120 Cha-am, at 5.38pm in the evening of December 30, according to the hotel CCTV.

He had not been heard from since that time and did not catch his flight home, which was due to return on Friday, January 12.

On Thursday night the Lucie Blackman Trust, which supports British victims overseas and assists in missing person cases, issued a statement which read: "We are saddened to confirm that Martin Wood was found deceased in Thailand earlier this week.

"Thank you for the huge support his appeal received.

"Our thoughts and support are with Martin’s family at this difficult time."

Earlier this week Thai sources said police were waiting for an autopsy to confirm whether the body was Martin.

Martin had been a frequent visitor at the hotel for four years.

He had apparently booked a month-long stay with his family and disappeared three weeks into his visit.

A friend of Martin’s, Paul Stevens, and the Wood family, recently set up an on-line fundraising appeal.

Paul explained on January 12: "Martin is my best mate we were best man at each others wedding.

"He failed to arrive home on his flight today and this I believe is day 13.

"We have seen CCTV of Martin at 5.38 in the evening not the morning as previously reported.

"We have a private investigator looking for him and the UK Police and Interpol are also involved.

"Posters have been put up in Cha-am offering a reward for information.

"It is very important we can fund what we need to do, and hopefully we can piece together his direction of travel, etc.

"I really hope people will donate to the fund so that we can do all we can to find him. Myself and the Wood family would be very grateful."

The Lucie Blackman Trust issued an appeal on its website and on social media a few days after Martin went missing.

The Trust said Martin was 5ft 10 ins tall, of medium build, with thinning mousey brown hair and blue eyes.

He was said to have last been seen wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

The Trust asked that if anyone had any information, to please contact the Trust.