Human remains found in the search for British hiker Esther Dingley have been confirmed as hers.
The Durham-born walker was last seen setting off on a solo journey on November 22, 2020, and hadn’t been seen since.
Remote regions of the Pyrenees have been extensively searched but until last week there was no sign of her.
A single human bone was found on July 23 and now the Oxford graduate’s family have received DNA confirmation it is a match.
Investigators intend to continue their search on foot and with drones, particularly trying to find some sign of her equipment.
Her mum Ria Dingley and boyfriend Dan Colegate announced the news in a statement: ‘We are distraught to report that we have received DNA confirmation that one of the bones found last week belongs to Esther.
‘We have all known for many months that the chance we would get to hug our beloved Esther again, to feel her warm hand in ours, to see her beautiful smile and to watch the room light up again whenever she arrived was tiny, but with this confirmation that small hope has now faded. It is devastating beyond words.
‘At this stage, with just a single bone found and no sign of equipment or clothing in the immediate area (which has been closely searched again over several days), the details of what happened and where still remain unknown.
‘The search and rescue teams intend to continue their search on foot and with drones, particularly trying to find some sign of Esther’s equipment to understand how this tragedy occurred.
‘The family would like to express their gratitude to the officers in charge of the various police units in France and Spain, the British consulates in Bordeaux and Barcelona, and LBT Global, all of whom have remained in close contact with us for months now. Their continued support and their determination to find answers is welcome.’
Esther had been travelling across Europe and living in a camper van with partner Dan Colegate since 2014.
The pair started a blog documenting their travels and were both open about the mental health and professional struggles that led them to radically change their lifestyles.
A huge search operation, which was at times hampered by poor weather conditions in complicated terrain, was unable to find any trace of Esther after she didn’t return from a planned hike alone.
Humans remains were first spotted on the Spanish side of the border by a mountain runner at around 2pm on July 23, before French authorities were alerted.
The remains were reportedly found at Puerto de la Glera, which is close to the 8,796ft Pico Salvaguardia summit where Esther last made contact with her partner around 4pm on November 22.
Specialist officers from Spain and France had carried out several searches of the area around the hiking trail.
Mystery still surrounds what went wrong on the hike and earlier this month Esther’s partner told the BBC he ‘could no longer agree’ with the idea she had suffered an accident.
He said: ‘The search has been so prolonged and so intense, that as far as I’m concerned the probability of an accident is now less than the probability of a criminal act.’
The bones were sent for DNA testing but Esther’s family had already been told to brace themselves for the worst.
Matthew Searle MBE, chief executive of overseas crisis support charity LBT Global, said: ‘This is the tragic end we have all feared.
‘This is devastating news for Esther’s loved ones – never before have I seen such incredible determination as that showed by Daniel in his relentless physical search of the mountains. We ask that media leave the family in peace at this incredibly difficult time.
‘The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Esther’s death is still very much in its infancy, and updates will be issued by LBT Global as they become available.
‘For now, however, we urge that Esther’s loved ones are left in peace to come to terms with this horrific news, and that online speculation is kept to a minimum.
‘There will be no further statement or interview until further notice – please do not attempt to contact the family.’
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