Wayne Jeffs: Body found in Biggleswade formally identified as dad who had been missing for four months

Floral tributes left by the side of Baden Powell Way in Biggleswade after Wayne Jeffs' body was found in a nearby field at the weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

The 29-year-old’s body was found by a dog walker in a field off Baden Powell Way at about 9.20am on Saturday last week.

Wayne’s next of kin were notified of the initial discovery that day, and have now been informed of the official identification.

A police statement this evening did not disclose a cause of death.

Wayne had been missing since April 6, when he went out saying he was going to the shops.

Carla Holbrook and her partner Wayne Jeffs, who was tragically found dead at the weekend. Picture: Carla Holbrook (Image: Archant)

Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious and will be passed to the coroner in due course.

Wayne’s family, who were already convinced the body was his, earlier this week paid heartfelt tributes to the easy-going dad – who his partner Carla Holbrook and father Peter both said “just loved life”.

Carla, 30, had been engaged to marry Wayne and gave birth to their son Jack on July 27 – barely a fortnight before he was found.

Wayne also had a seven-year-old son called Kenzie, and was stepfather to Carla’s 10-year-old daughter Cadey.

Wayne Jeffs' son Kenzie, seven, holding his and Carla's baby son Jack - who was born on July 27. Picture: Carla Holbrook (Image: Archant)

Carla has launched an online fundraiser to help give her partner of six years the kind of send-off he would have wanted.

She told the Comet: “It’s not going to be a sad affair – our children will be there, and Wayne wouldn’t want people to be sad. He’d want people to be laughing and joking with each other. That was Wayne.

“He once said to me you couldn’t play drum and bass and jungle music in the crematorium and cry. It’s going to be more of a celebration of his life.”

Peter Jeffs added: “I wouldn’t have had Wayne any other way. He just loved life, and was always happy and joking. He always liked a beer, and he never took anything too seriously.”

The card and floral tributes left to Wayne by Carla by the side of Baden Powell Way in Biggleswade after his body was found in a field nearby. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

In a card at the scene, Carla wrote to her fiancé: “Wayne, you were my best friend and partner for six years.

“I’ve shared so many happy times together and I will remember forever.

“I will never forget you and I have Jack to remember you by.

“I love you with all my heart and my heart is breaking I will never see or speak to you again.

“Please look down on us and keep us safe. Love you always and forever.”

You can donate towards Wayne’s funeral at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/waynejeffs.