Mum's heartbreak after husband heads out for his run and doesn't come home

Jo Longhurst has confirmed a body found in woodland in Barming, Kent in the hunt for Jamin Longhurst is that of her husband, and now her family's "world has been shattered"

A grief-stricken mum says her family's "world has been shattered" after her husband was found dead in woodlands near their home.

Jamin Longhurst, 49, went out for his regular run on Sunday but, when he did not return home, his wife Jo became worried. Jo called the behaviour "completely out of character".

Her worst fears were confirmed today when police found a body in woodland in Barming, Kent, and Jo said on Facebook it is that of her partner, and father to their two children. Her heartbreaking post reads: "We are absolutely devastated that the body of my gorgeous husband and wonderful father of my two amazing boys was found in Barming woods this afternoon. We are completely heartbroken and our world has been shattered. We would like to say a massive thank you to Kent Police, the search and rescue teams and to each and everyone of you who shared our post and went our searching, thank you xx."

Kent Police had issued a missing persons appeal for Jamin. It said in an update on Monday: "At around 2pm on Monday 21 October 2024, the body of a man was found in countryside near North Pole Road, Barming.

"The man was pronounced deceased at the scene. Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of a 49-year-old man from Maidstone, who had been reported missing on Sunday 20 October, have been informed. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner."

Strangers offered Jamin's family their thoughts after the news emerged. Writing on Facebook, one man said: "Devastated to hear this news. My condolences, thoughts and strength to the family and friends of this young man." Another posted: "So very sad to hear this , my condolences to all his family and friends."

In a previous post on Facebook amid the search, Jo had said: "My husband went for a run at 10.20am on Sunday 20th October and he didn’t return. He was heading in the direction of Barming Woods and although he didn’t say where he was going, one of his regular routes would usually be a loop through the woods to Kings Hill, down Cannon Lane and old road to the river in Wateringbury and back along the river to South Street in Barming.

"As you can imagine, we are absolutely distraught as this is completely out of character. The police have been out searching all night but haven’t been able to find him yet. We would be so grateful if you could please keep a look out for him, he literally could be anywhere. Thank you." Her original plea was shared more than 6,000 times on the social media platform.