Police find body of missing Peacehaven man

An off-duty police officer has found the body of a Peacehaven man six weeks after he was reported missing.

The officer recognised the distinctive white camper van belonging to Mark Harman, 50, of Sheepfold, off Heathy Brow, Peacehaven.

Mr Harman’s wife Aimee last saw him at about 2pm on Monday 19 December when he left their family-run business, the Open Art Café in Nevill Road, Rottingdean. She reported him missing the next day.

His van was found on Saturday morning (4 February). It was in a car park in Mark Cross, between Crowborough and Wadhurst, where it was believed to have been parked for some time.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “This is tragic news. We had made extensive inquiries in our efforts to find Mr Harman, including visiting places and homes he was known to have gone to in the past. Our deepest sympathies go to his family.”

Mr Harman’s death is not being treated as suspicious. Post-mortem tests will be carried out and an inquest held at a date to be arranged.

As well as the Open Art Café, the couple also ran Mosaic Mad Romans, producing mosaic kits with children in mind. They also organised school Roman days, teaching youngsters about the Romans while dressed as Minerva and Marcus Annoyus.