THE body of a man who went missing after discharging himself from hospital has been found on secluded farmland.
Keith Keenan walked out of the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, on Sunday, July 21, after being admitted with septicaemia.
His mother Rita spoke of her anger yesterday that the father-of-eight was allowed to leave the hospital without any of his family being contacted.
The family want answers as to why Mr Keenan was allowed to leave the hospital in such a serious condition.
A spokeswoman for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust offered its condolences to Mr Keenan's family.
She said: "The trust has strict procedures in place when a patient does go missing. However, some patients discharge themselves from hospital against medical advice. In those circumstances, trust staff will always explain the consequences of such actions and the patient is required to sign a self-discharge form confirming that they understand those consequences."
Mr Keenan's body was found by a passer-by in a secluded area of farmland just off Blakeston Lane, Norton.
A post-mortem examinatino has been carried out and there is no evidence of a crime having been committed.
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