Gboyega Odubanjo, the poet scheduled for a reading at the Shambala festival in Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire on Sunday, failed to make his appearance and was last spotted at the festival grounds during the early hours of the morning.
In the recent turn of events, authorities have confirmed the discovery of a body during the search for the missing poet Gboyega Odubanjo.
The 27-year-old Odubanjo, who hailed from Bromley, east London, was expected to perform a reading at the Shambala festival. However, he never reached the festival site for his scheduled performance.
The last sighting of Odubanjo occurred around 4 am on Saturday within the festival premises. While formal identification procedures are still pending, the man’s family has been notified and is receiving support from specially trained officers.
Law enforcement agencies have stated that there appear to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the circumstances of his death.
Odubanjo was a PhD student at the University of Hertfordshire and had contributed to prominent publications including The Guardian, The Poetry Review, and New Statesman. His second collection of works is expected to be published soon.
Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell expressed condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are with the man’s family during this extremely challenging period. We kindly ask the media and public to respect their privacy and refrain from contacting them.”
Campbell further acknowledged the collaborative efforts of those involved in the search, including Northamptonshire Search and Rescue volunteers and search-trained officers from various forces. He also extended gratitude to those who aided the investigation by providing information.
A comprehensive report for the coroner is now in preparation by officers from Northamptonshire Police.
The search operation encompassed a range of resources, including trained dogs, a dive team, and the dedicated efforts of volunteers from Northamptonshire Search and Rescue.
