A body was recovered from the sea near Bude on Jan. 31 during the search for Alexander Key, 37, a chef reported missing from Boscastle on Jan. 24, police said. Officers and HM Coastguard were called about 6:30 p.m., and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The discovery focuses attention on a weeklong search that drew national interest because Key is the longtime partner of Assisi Jackson, granddaughter of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. Investigators said formal identification has not yet been completed but believe the body is likely Key. Detectives added they are not treating the death as suspicious at this stage. The case now moves toward coroner review while the family, which had appealed publicly for help, asks for privacy. Police did not release further details about recovery conditions at sea or when autopsy results might be available.
Key was last seen the afternoon of Jan. 24 in Boscastle, a harbor village roughly 14 miles south of Bude. Closed-circuit video showed him walking alone toward Boscastle Harbour after spending time at a local pub. Over subsequent days, uniformed officers, volunteers and Coastguard crews searched the rugged coast between the River Valency mouth and beaches to the north. Family posts amplified the appeal and shared stills from the footage as teams canvassed trails and quaysides. By Jan. 31, police said a call to emergency services reported a body in the water off Bude; responders retrieved the man and notified next of kin. “We can confirm a male was located and declared deceased,” a police spokesperson said.
Authorities identified the missing person as a 37-year-old father of two who lives in Cornwall with Jackson. Officers said they logged the original missing-person report on Jan. 24 and issued descriptions of Key’s clothing, hair color and route of travel in hopes of generating tips. HM Coastguard confirmed it supported shoreline and sea searches during the week. Police said there were no immediate signs of third-party involvement when the body was found. They did not release the exact spot of the recovery or sea-state details, citing the ongoing process to confirm identity and notify extended family. Investigators said toxicology and post-mortem testing would be standard.
The coastline around Boscastle and Bude is known for steep cliffs, narrow paths and powerful tides that can change quickly with Atlantic weather systems. In peak season, rescue teams respond to falls, stranding and surf incidents across the North Cornwall stretch, though most searches end without serious injury. Winter brings fewer visitors but shorter daylight windows and colder water. Local records describe multiple Coastguard shouts in Januarys past when swells and strong winds made shoreline searches difficult. Officials did not link those historic patterns to this case and cautioned against speculation while formal steps proceed.
With a body recovered, the inquiry shifts from a missing-person search to coroner-led procedures. Police said a file will be prepared for the Cornwall coroner, who oversees inquests into sudden or unexplained deaths. A post-mortem examination is expected to establish a preliminary cause of death, followed by toxicology if required. If identification confirms Key, next steps could include an inquest opening to record basic details before adjourning for full findings. Investigators said any further evidential work—such as timelines built from CCTV, witness statements and phone or bank records—would be summarized for the coroner. No court dates were announced Monday; officials said updates would follow in due course.
Neighbors and traders in Boscastle described a subdued atmosphere as word of the discovery spread. A shopkeeper near the harbor said the village “went very quiet” over the weekend as residents checked for updates. Outside Bude, a dog walker who gave only his first name, Mark, said lifeboat crews and Coastguard teams are “a familiar sight” on the headlands when calls come in. Friends of the family shared short messages of support online. Jackson has not issued a public statement; relatives previously thanked searchers and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy while they wait for official confirmation.
As of Tuesday, police say identification and post-mortem steps are underway, and the death remains non-suspicious pending coroner review. The next official milestone is expected to be confirmation of identity followed by an inquest opening date if required. Authorities said they would release further information when available.
Author note: Last updated February 3, 2026.