Police confirm body found in river is millionaire farmer, 69, who vanished from £1.2m home seven months ago - after estranged wife, her boyfriend and another man were charged over murder

  • Body found in River Hiz in Charlton, Hertfordshire confirmed to be William Taylor
  • The millionaire farmer vanished from his home in Gosmore on June 3 last year
  • Hertfordshire Police launched an intensive search but were unable to find man
  • A body discovered in a river has been identified as a millionaire farmer who vanished from his £1.2 million home seven months ago.
    The body of William 'Bill' Taylor was found in the River Hiz in the village of Charlton, Hertfordshire on Sunday, January 10 by a passerby. 
    Mr Taylor, 69, was last seen seven months ago at his home in Gosmore at around 9pm - eight days before his 70th birthday on June 11. 
    He was reported missing the next day. 
    Hertfordshire Police launched an intensive search for the missing man throughout the summer last year - but were unable to find a trace. 
    Officers had even searched the area where the body was found when the millionaire had been missing for three-and-a-half months.  
    It later emerged that Mr Taylor had reported an alleged arson on May 27 - just a week before his own disappearance.
    Mr Taylor's granddaughter, Rachel, shared photographs of the burnt out Land Rover Defender TD5 90 which she said was found inside an empty grain shed on May 27.
    Images show the blackened remains of the 4x4 with parts of the melted roof hanging from the interior of the car. 
    Mr Taylor, 69, was last seen seven months ago at his home in Gosmore at around 9pm - eight days before his 70th birthday on June 11
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    Mr Taylor, 69, was last seen seven months ago at his home in Gosmore at around 9pm - eight days before his 70th birthday on June 11
    Officers had even searched the area where the body was found when the millionaire had been missing for three-and-a-half months
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    Officers had even searched the area where the body was found when the millionaire had been missing for three-and-a-half months
    Officers confirmed at the time that police were investigating the alleged arson but said it was unclear whether or not it was connected to the disappearance.
    Mr Taylor's estranged wife Angela Taylor, 52, and her partner Paul Cannon, 53, were subsequently arrested and charged with arson, murder and conspiracy to murder. A third suspect, Gwyn Griffiths, 59, was arrested last month and has been charged with conspiracy to murder and assisting offenders.
    He will appear at St Albans Crown Court on March 4. 
    Mr Taylor's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
    Police say extensive enquiries have been carried out at the scene by officers from the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Major Crime Unit.
    Police and foresics with gas masks at the house of Angela Taylor, the estranged wife of the missing farmer, on September 21
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    Police and foresics with gas masks at the house of Angela Taylor, the estranged wife of the missing farmer, on September 21