A body found in a caravan belongs to a sex offender wanted for the murder of a woman, police say.

Richard Scatchard, 70, from Minehead, Somerset, disappeared after the death of Kelly Faiers, 61, at her home in October last year.

A member of the public called police after discovering the body of a man in a caravan near Watchcliffe Hill, Somerset, on Thursday.

Evan and Somerset said in a statement on Saturday that the body had been confirmed to be Scatcherd’s following an autopsy.

Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins said: “Kelly’s family and Richard Scatcherd’s family were notified following the discovery of the body earlier this week. We have now informed both families that the discovery The body has been identified as that of Scatchard.”

“While it was clear that Scatchard had been dead for some time, the forensic autopsy was inconclusive in determining the cause of death. Therefore, as is customary in such cases, we continue to treat the death as unexplained, although we do not know the exact cause. “There’s something fishy going on this time.

“The investigation will continue and a file will be produced to the coroner.”

Police have previously warned Scatchard posed a serious risk to women, particularly those with whom he formed relationships.

He was convicted of sex crimes in which he drugged his victims in order to abuse them.

Avon and Somerset Police said he was wanted in connection with a murder investigation into Ms Firth’s death and had been recalled to prison.

Ms Faiers’ family complained to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) about the police’s handling of her death in December.

The force voluntarily submitted the complaint to the IOPC on January 4.

This comes after Avon and Somerset Police spoke to Scatchard at the scene of Ms Fells’ death shortly before she went missing.

An IOPC spokesman said: “We can confirm that an investigation is ongoing into Avon and Somerset Police’s response to the death of Kelly Fells.

“This follows a complaint being referred to police in January this year.”

On October 14, Scatchard and Ms. Fells went out for the night together. At 4.15am he called an ambulance, saying Ms Firth was critically ill.

Paramedics pronounced her dead.

Police also attended the scene and spoke to Scatchard, but when they returned on October 16, he was missing.