The date of an inquest into the death of a 21-year-old from Abbotts Ann has been set.

Alexander James Hayter disappeared from his home in the village on September 18, 2020 and was not seen since. A body was subsequently discovered in woodland near his home.

An inquest into his death will be held at the start of June.

Alexander left his home in Manor Close, Abbotts Ann, at around 3pm on September 18, 2020, and was not seen from that date. He had not been in touch with his family, which was described as ‘out of character’ for him, and police said they were “extremely concerned” about his welfare.

At the time, he was wearing a blue Nike baseball cap, dark jacket and trousers, and was described as being around 6ft 1inch tall, of medium build and clean shaven.

Following a search, a body was found in a wooded area off Dunkirt Lane near Abbotts Ann, a short walk from where he was last seen. The death was not being treated as suspicious.

The Hayter family paid tribute to him, saying: “Words cannot express how distraught and heartbroken we are that our gorgeous, funny, clever Alex, our beloved son and brother, is no longer with us.

“He leaves a void in our family that can never be filled. The future that we had hoped for him will not happen. We would like to thank everyone who shared the missing post and the huge police led team who worked so tirelessly.”

An inquest was subsequently opened into his death and adjourned. It will now be concluded on June 1, where it will be held in Winchester Coroners’ Court at 10am.