A BODY found in a river earlier this week was that of missing teenager Jordan Sullivan, police have confirmed.

The 19-year-old, from York, was last seen running towards the River Ouse on February 14.

A body was recovered from the river, close to where Jordan was last seen, on Wednesday.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “We can confirm that the body recovered from Naburn Marina, on the River Ouse, at just after 4pm, on Wednesday, March 14 March, is that of Jordan Sullivan.

“It is anticipated that the inquest into his death will be opened and adjourned on Tuesday (March) 20.”

His family has asked for privacy.

Last week, an underwater unit from West Yorkshire Police resumed searches of the river in the area where the travel consultant was last seen.

Police had been carrying out searches of the Ouse and its banks in recent weeks, since Jordan, from Acomb, went missing on Valentine’s Day.

The teenager was last seen near the river at 9.30am that day.

His family and friends have made numerous appeals for information since his disappearance, including a high profile poster campaign.

Peter Lawrence, father of York chef Claudia Lawrence, who disappeared three years ago, said he was “deeply saddened” at the discovery of Jordan’s body.

A statement released by Mr Lawrence’s spokesman said: “Peter is deeply saddened to hear of the discovery of Jordan’s body and would like his family to know that they are very much in his thoughts and prayers at this distressing time after such a tragic loss of so young a life.”