Mr Richardson, of Braintree, was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with a long-sleeved top underneath, black shorts and black shoes.

His family previously told BBC Essex that Mr Richardson was “completely fine when he left, there were no obvious signs of anything”.

Mary Richardson, who had been her grandson’s legal guardian since he moved in with her older child, said he planned to return home after the party.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We have suspended search activities for Martyn Richardson, 27, who was reported missing from Braintree in August.

“This follows the discovery of a man’s body in a watercourse in Bocking.

“Formal identification has not yet taken place, but Mr Richardson’s family has been informed and we support them.”

Investigations were ongoing and police insisted against any speculation.