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11th Aug 2021

Forensic search after body of missing hiker found by boyfriend in Pyrenees

Ellen Fitzpatrick

A bone was also found two weeks ago.

The body of a hiker who went missing in November of last year has just been discovered by her boyfriend.

After going missing in the Pyrenees mountains, Ester Dingley was last seen on November 22nd walking alone close to the French-Spanish border in the mountains.

Her body was discovered on Monday, two weeks after a bone was found, along with the equipment she had left with.

Found by her boyfriend Daniel Colegate, he had been searching for her since she disappeared, according to crisis support charity LBT Global.

Forensic specialists and mountain rescue personnel have been sent to the site to recover the body.

An LBT Global statement said: “At this stage an accident is the most likely hypothesis, given the location and other early indications. A full investigation is under way to confirm the details surrounding this tragedy.

“The family remain incredibly grateful for the efforts of the police units involved and their commitment to understanding the exact circumstances of Esther’s death.

“LBT Global are supporting Daniel and Esther’s mother, Ria, as they come to terms with this news.”

A single bone was found two weeks ago and was tested through DNA and confirmed to be Esther’s.

The 37 year old went missing after she headed off on a three day solo trek, but had been travelling in campervan with her partner around Europe since 2014.