Image source, Devon and Cornwall PoliceImage caption, Taylor Charlton is a described as about 5ft 8ins tall and of muscular buildByCaroline RobinsonSouth WestPublished15 May 2026 A pair of shoes believed to belong to a 14-year-old boy who has been missing for seven days has been found as part of a "major search operation". Devon and Cornwall Police said Taylor Charlton was last seen at about 22:40 BST on 8 May, near Tesco in the Seven Brethren area of Barnstaple. The force said searches resulted in a pair of shoes being found near to the River Taw in the Tarka Trail area between Sticklepath and Bickington. It said while detectives were keeping all avenues of inquiry open, a hypothesis that Taylor may have entered the water has led to searches being concentrated on this area. He is a described as about 5ft 8ins tall, of muscular build, with dark brown hair and a moustache, and was last seen wearing a bright blue fitted top, jeans and bright blue Nike shoes.
Published: May 15, 2026 6:00 pm
Source: BBC — Read original