Leschenault search ends with body found

Five days after Leschenault father Denis William Jeffries went missing, police this morning found a body they believe to be that of the 69-year-old.

Mr Jeffries was last seen riding his bicycle near his Marine Drive home on Saturday and in the days that followed police launched an extensive search operation in the hope of finding him alive.

Australind police acting officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Craig Clelland this morning confirmed a body, believed to be that of Mr Jeffries, was found just metres from Old Coast Road in Leschenault.

Sen. Sgt Clelland said after two days of more than 40 State Emergency Service volunteers and at least 15 police officers scouring bushland, it was horse-mounted officers who found the body.

“It was a fantastic job done by SES volunteers, but ultimately he was found by our mounted section officers who – obviously from riding horses – had a different view of the search area and they were able to sight him,” Sen. Sgt Clelland said.

“He was on the edge of Old Coast Road, a thousand cars would have driven past him, but he was just tucked in enough in the long grass.

“There’s no suspicious circumstances, it appears to be – without pre-empting the coroners – natural causes.

“We’re conducting now a coronial investigation – a report will be prepared.”

Mr Jeffries’ family have been notified by police.

It is understood Mr Jeffries was known to regularly cycle long distances in the Australind and Leschenault area.