Remains found on beach identified as missing man

Human remains found on two different beaches in north Devon have been identified after DNA testing, a coroner has said.

Police were notified in May 2025 that body parts had been found at Westward Ho! beach and later the same day more remains were found on the coastline at nearby Appledore.

Senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney said they belonged to 44-year-old Ryan Miller, a married delivery driver from Barnstaple, who died in the sea at Appledore on 22 May 2025.

The hearing at Exeter Coroner's Court heard that his cause of death has not been ascertained. The inquest has been adjourned.

At the time the remains were found Devon and Cornwall police said the remains belonged to the same man and his death was not being treated as suspicious.

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