Police have confirmed a body found in a lake is that of a teenager who went missing after a Christmas party.
Haydn Mark Evans, 18, from Mold, North Wales, was reported missing on December 17 after leaving a Christmas party at Carden Park Hotel in Broxton, on the outskirts of Chester.
His distraught family made a number of impassioned appeals for information about his disappearance.
But today the body recovered from the lake was formally identified as Mr Evans and a Home Office post-mortem examination confirmed he died from drowning.
Cheshire Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
A spokeswoman for the force said: "Following the discovery of man's body in a lake at Carden Park near Chester yesterday afternoon, formal identification has taken place confirming that it is missing teenager Haydn Evans from Mold, North Wales.
"A Home Office post-mortem took place this morning which revealed Haydn died from drowning. Haydn's death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
"The thoughts and condolences of all officers and staff who work for Cheshire Constabulary are with Haydn's family and friends at this very sad time.
"The Constabulary would like to thank the local community and all those who have helped in the search for Haydn and would ask on behalf of the family, that they are allowed time to grieve for Haydn in private."
Police search teams, supported by Lowland Search and Rescue teams, underwater search units, dog patrols and air support, had been combing the area of the A41 around Broxton since Mr Evans vanished.
A statement from Mr Evans' family released earlier this week said: "Christmas has passed and Haydn's presents remain unopened and none of us can even consider celebrating this Christmastime whilst he is still missing."