Devon and Cornwall Police have cleared two people previously arrested on suspicion of murder regarding the death of 15-year-old Taylor Charlton. the teenager's remains were found in the River Taw in June, weeks after he vanished from Barnstaple.
The man in his 20s and woman in her 40s cleared of suspicion
Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed that two individuals, a man in his 20s and a woman in her 40s, are no longer suspects in the death of Taylor Charlton. According to the report, these individuals were arrested on suspicion of murder and released on police bail as part of separate lines of inquiry.
Detective Inspector Elaine Westerman stated that the arrests were part of a commitment to leave no stone unturned in the search for answers.. After a thorough investigation,the force is now satisfied that neither person was involved in the disappearance or death of the 15-year-old.
From the May 8 disappearance to the River Taw discovery
Taylor Charlton was last seen in Barnstaple, Devon, on the night of May 8. the search for the teenager culminated on June 24 , when his remains were discovered in the River Taw near Sticklepath.
The last confirmed sighting of Taylor Charlton was captured on CCTV near a footpath close to the Tarka leisure centre in Barnstaple. as reported by the sorce, the footage showed the teenager heading in the direction of the River Taw before he vanished.
The risk of river-adjacent paths in Devon towns
The tragedy involving Taylor Charlton echoes a recurring concern in regional towns where leisure paths run parallel to deep or fast-moving water. In many UK communities, the proximity of leisure centres—like the Tarka leisure centre in Barnstaple—to natural waterways creates a high-traffic zone for teenagers that can turn fatal in seconds.
When a death is ruled "not suspicious" but occurs in a public waterway, it often sparks local debates about safety signage and fencing. The emotional toll on the Barnstaple community is compounded by the initial fear of foul play, which is common in missing person cases involving minors where the body is not immediately recovered.
What the HM Coroner's file will reveal about Taylor's death
While Devon and Cornwall Police have stated there is no indication of third-party involvement, the specific cause of Taylor Charlton's death remains unconfirmed. The police have announced that a file will now be prepared for HM Coroner to determine the official cause of death.
The public is currently left wondering whether the incident was a tragic accident or a deliberate act, as the police report avoids these specifics. Furthermore, the source does not detail the nature of the "separate lines of inquiry" that led to the initial arrests, leaving the relationship between the cleared suspects and Taylor Charlton unknown.
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