Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Saturday 15th March 2025, at 09:00hrs
Salford detectives are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in piecing together the final movements of Richard Crawt, a man in his 40s, whose body was discovered in the River Irwell on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
Officers were called to Riverside, Salford, following reports of concern for welfare, where they tragically found Mr. Crawt.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The circumstances surrounding his death are currently being treated as unexplained, and an investigation is underway.
Authorities are focusing on establishing a timeline of Mr. Crawt’s activities leading up to his death. Notably, he was known to have been using a distinctive blue tent, a photograph of which has been released by Greater Manchester Police.
It is believed that this tent was pitched on a sandy beach area near the Meadows, Salford, as early as Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Detective Inspector Justin Bryant from Salford district stated,
“It has now been six days since the body of Richard was discovered in the River Irwell in Salford. Our investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together a timeline of events leading up to this tragic discovery.”
“We have been trawling CCTV footage, speaking with residents in the area to try and understand how and why Richard came to be in this location. At this stage of our investigation, we are still working to establish Richard’s final movements and the circumstances that led him to the river.”
The police are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of the River Irwell in Salford, particularly around the Lower Broughton area and the Meadows, or anyone who had contact with Mr. Crawt in the days leading up to his death, to come forward.
“We need your help. If you were in the vicinity of the River Irwell in Salford around the Lower Broughton area and in particular the Meadows. Or if you had any interaction with Richard in the days before his death, please speak with us, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you,” Detective Inspector Bryant urged.
Richard’s sister, Anne Marie, has also made an emotional appeal, describing her brother as having “a heart of gold” and someone who had “fallen on some hard times.” She added, “This has completely shattered our world, it doesn’t seem real.
Please, if anyone saw him or has any information that can help us piece together his last few days please come forward, we just need some answers.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 4585 or 101, quoting log number 2221 of 09/03/2025.
Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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