A retired British barrister is feared to have died after going missing on a solo hiking trip in the Seychelles last month.
Peter Clement, 57, from Richmond, was last seen shortly before midday on 15 May as he embarked on a jungle trek on the slippery Grab Barbe trail on Silhouette Island.
Local tour operators said Silhouette was not an obvious choice for a single traveller and it is thought the retired barrister may have run into bad weather on the 12-mile trail, which runs from one side of the mountainous island to the other.
Authorities also suggested persistent bad weather had diminished the hopes of the man being found alive.
Seychelles police have now called off their joint land and sea operation with the coast guard and army after sending up a high-tech drone to try to find him.
All his personal belongings and travel documents were found intact in his hotel room at the Hilton Labriz, local police reported.
A close friend of Mr Clement, who was unmarried, said he regularly travelled alone and such trips were not uncommon.
“He was in the army so he knows how to look after himself,” she said.
‘Deep shock and sadness’
Mr Clement was the former head of chambers at the 2 Harcourt Buildings where he practised for more than 30 years.
Matthew Scott, a barrister at Pump Court Chambers who worked with him, said: “He was a true gentleman and he was liked by everyone.”
A statement from 2 Harcourt Buildings said: “It is with deep shock and sadness that we must announce the loss of our dear friend, colleague and former head of chambers, Peter Clement.
“He had recently retired after an illustrious career at the criminal bar, practising from 2 Harcourt Buildings for over 30 years.
“He was much loved and respected by everyone in chambers and also among his many friends at the criminal bar. He will be deeply missed.”
Mr Clement had been a captain in the Army legal service and had served in Northern Ireland.
Source: Telegraph
