Missing former England rugby player Tom Voice has been found dead by specialist officers near the spot where he was taken while trying to drive across a flooded river.
Concerns were raised for the 43-year-old former winger on Sunday after he failed to return home after going out with friends on Saturday.
His Toyota Hilux was found downstream of Abberwick Ford on the River Aln outside Alnwick in Northumberland and police suspected he had been taken while fleeing the car.
River levels were particularly high over the weekend as Storm Darrah hit the UK.
Voyce played 9 matches for England during his rugby career
A major search operation has been launched involving Northumbria Police, drones, the police helicopter, coastguards and North Tyne and Northumberland National Park mountain rescue teams, as well as family and friends of the much-loved ex-rugby player.
Northumbria Police said they were faced with “very challenging conditions, particularly due to the river’s flow and significantly increased levels following the exceptionally heavy rain at the weekend”.
Specialists from Northumbria Police’s marine unit made the distressing discovery in the river near Abberwick Mill on Thursday.
The force said formal identification has yet to take place, but Voyce’s next of kin have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers.
Chief Inspector Helena Barron of Northumbria Police said: “This is an extremely sad development and our thoughts continue to be with Tom’s loved ones.
“I would like to thank all of our officers, partners and volunteers for their support during the search, which was carried out in very difficult circumstances.
“We will continue to ask that people respect the family’s privacy at this time.”
Officers do not believe there is any third party involvement and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
The rugby world expressed its shock and sadness when he disappeared, including messages from World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Laurence Dalalho, who lost a sister in the 1989 Marchioness disaster on the Thames.
Voyce won nine England caps during his career and spent six years at Wasps between 2003 and 2009, where he helped them win European and domestic titles, moving there from Bath and then moving to Gloucester in 2009.
He made 220 Premier League appearances before retiring in May 2013.
It is understood Voyce, who grew up in Cornwall, moved to Northumberland recently after living in London.
