Family of Jack O’Sullivan begin new search with help from metal detectorists

The family of Jack O’Sullivan have started a new search programme with help from a team of metal detectorists. 

They are hoping that the equipment will be able to detect Jack’s phone, along with any other item that may cast light on what happened the night he disappeared.

The Bristol student was first reported missing on 2 March 2024, after he failed to return home from a house party on Hotwell Road. The 23-year-old was last seen at 3:15am, when CCTV captured him at the junction between Brunel Lock Road and Brunel Way.

Although Jack’s last call was made at 3.24 a.m. to a friend who was still at the party, Jack’s phone remained active until around 6.44 a.m. His phone’s final GPS signal was traced to an address in the nearby Granby Hill area.

A campaign group that has been supporting the O’Sullivan family has now revealed that a new search programme is currently underway, following “some of the recent findings.”

Although the nature of these “findings” remains undisclosed, we do know that the phone provider EE has recently given the family data concerning Jack’s missing device. 

Jayne Caple, a prominent figure within the campaign group, took to the Find Jack Facebook page to reveal what she could. She wrote: “We’re very conscious that we are unusually quiet so apologies for that. There are things happening in the background and while we can’t go into much detail we are keen to share.”

“We have a search programme that started two weeks ago and will continue into December.

“There was a large scale search two weekends ago involving a team of technicians with metal detectors.

Most Read

People have spotted a huge I’m A Celeb editing error proving a bushtucker trial was staged

Finally, Adam has actually addressed the rumours he and Amy are dating after MAFS UK

All the mega-famous actors who also auditioned for each Wicked role

“Pretty much the whole day was spent searching for any trace of Jack’s phone or any other of his possessions that could have been picked up by their equipment.”

Unfortunately, “despite some heroic efforts and a lot of ground covered, nothing was found.”

The family previously employed the help of a specialist search dog unit, which covered the area below and around the Avon Gorge Hotel, and below the Clifton Suspension Bridge, near Leigh Woods.

Jayne announced that this unit will be back to cover the remaining areas over the course of several weekends in the run up to the end of the year, and that they will be joined by some of the metal detectorists.

Jayne did not state which specific area would be the focus of the investigation, claiming: “Everything we are doing is planned and co-ordinated so while we really appreciate that some people want to do mass organised public searches, right now it wouldn’t be right due to the technical, specialist searches happening.”

Nonetheless, she urged on behalf of the family that those still interested in helping “be extra vigilant and search where you can and as safely as you can.”

She thanked everyone for their continued support, saying: “I know Catherine, Alan and Ben want to extend their thanks for your help in getting them this far.

“And on behalf of us admins, thank you for your patience, support, encouragement, and downright tenacity. We wouldn’t be anywhere without you.

“And the people involved in our searches to date – such generous, warm hearted and kind people, thank you x.”

If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5224055172.