Full Breakdown
Skeleton of Missing Preston Man Identified Near M67 Bridge
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Core Event: Discovery and Identification
On August 3, bridge inspectors discovered a skeleton at the base of a concrete embankment on a railway bridge over the M67 motorway in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) conducted forensic examinations, extracting DNA from a bone, which confirmed the remains belonged to 41-year-old Ajani Campbell, who had been reported missing from his mother’s home in Preston on January 24, 2026.
Background & Context
Ajani Campbell was classified as a high-risk missing person. CCTV captured him boarding a train from Preston to Manchester Piccadilly on January 24, 2026, and later walking through Manchester Piccadilly station at 12:30 a.m. on January 25, 2026. He was subsequently seen on Deansgate at 1:48 a.m. that same morning. After that last sighting, his whereabouts were unknown until the August discovery.
Official Statements & Responses
Detective Sergeant Ian Parker of GMP said the force remains with Campbell’s family and that investigators are keeping an open mind, with no lines of enquiry ruled out. He noted that GMP is working closely with Lancashire Constabulary, sharing information to establish facts about Campbell’s movements before his death. Police have asked the public to contact GMP’s major-incident portal or Crimestoppers with any information, however minor it may seem.
Data & Statistics
- Age of the deceased: 41 years
- Date of disappearance: January 24, 2026
- Last CCTV appearance: early hours of January 25, 2026
- Date remains found: August 3
On-the-Ground Reports
Bridge inspectors were conducting routine work on the railway bridge when they spotted the skeleton at the bottom of the embankment. No personal belongings were found with the remains, limiting identification to forensic DNA analysis.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our thoughts remain with Ajani's family and loved ones as they continue to come to terms with this tragic news.” — Detective Sergeant Ian Parker
What’s Next
GMP continues to piece together Campbell’s movements after the January 25 sighting and is seeking witnesses who may have seen him in Manchester that weekend. Detectives say they have not ruled out any lines of enquiry, and the investigation remains ongoing.