Man feared murdered five years ago is found alive living in woodland

The man was found "concealed in some undergrowth" 
A Facebook account was set up last year with pictures that looked like Ricardas Puisys
Cambridgeshire Police
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A man who police feared had been murdered has been found alive in woodland, five years after he went missing.

Police launched a murder investigation in November 2015 after Ricardas Puisys, then 35, had not been seen for several weeks. At the time, concerns were raised that he was being exploited.

Officers worked "tirelessly" to find Mr Puisys, a Lithuanian national, but could find no trace of him, despite multiple public appeals.

But, on July 1, he was found "deliberately hidden" in some undergrowth in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Police said he had not spoken with anyone for some time and believe he was in hiding to escape from those who had exploited him.

"For almost five years Ricardas’ disappearance has been a complete mystery," said Detective Chief Inspector Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit. "That was until we received information at the end of June which led us to finding him.”

Selfies of a man that police said looked like Ricardas were shared by Cambridgeshire Police last year in a bid to find the Lithuanian national
Cambridgeshire Police

At the time of his disappearance Mr Puisys was working at Nightlayer Leek Company in Dean Drove, Chatteris, through an agency.

He was last seen at work on Saturday, September 26, 2015. Later that same evening, he was believed to be in the company of a small group of Lithuanian men. He did not return to work on the Monday.

In November last year, a Facebook account was set up in his name, featuring photos believed to have been of him.

According to reports in the Independent, officers attempted to make contact with the Facebook account.

Officers received reports in June this year that Mr Puisys was alive and well.

Police carried out a search in a wooded area in Harecroft Road where they found the man "very well concealed" and living in undergrowth.

DCI Hall added: “There were genuine concerns Ricardas came to harm that evening. He did not return to work on Monday, 28 September, 2015 as expected, but we now believe Ricardas made the decision to run away as he had been a victim of crime, having previously been subject to exploitation.

“A team of investigators worked tirelessly following up a number of inquiries, none leading to the discovery of Ricardas. That was until we received information that Ricardas may have been alive and still in the Wisbech area.

“Following a search of wooded area in Harecroft Road, Ricardas was eventually found living in undergrowth, very well concealed after having deliberately hidden and having not spoken with anyone for some time."

The officers decided not to publicly announce Mr Puisys' safe recovery in July in order to ensure his protection and make sure safeguarding measures were in place.

“He is safe and we are working very closely with him to ensure he remains safe, but also to ensure he gets the support he needs after having lived through extremely difficult circumstances during the last five or more years," said DCI Hall.

An investigation into potential exploitation of Mr Puisys has been launched and a team of detectives in Fenland are working their way through a number of enquiries.

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