THE mum of a teenage boy whose body was found in a river after a six-week search has been forced to deny her involvement in his suspected murder.
Cops investigating Taylor Charlton’s death have arrested two people, including a woman in her 40s yesterday – with cruel online trolls implying it was his heartbroken mum Zoe Harvey.
In a post, liked by Zoe, a family friend said that the “speculation, disrespect, arrogance and harmful comments need to stop”.
Writing in the Find Taylor Charlton Facebook group, they said: “I would like to make it absolutely crystal clear… for everyone that it was not in fact Taylor’s grieving, heartbroken mum that has been arrested.”
Zoe wrote in the comments: “I am nothing to do with my son’s murder!”
Cops had first arrested a man, aged 20, on June 12, before it was announced yesterday a woman had also been detained, both on suspicion of murder.
The man has since been released on bail, and despite the serious nature of the latest arrest, police say it is “one line of enquiry among many” and the investigation is at an “early stage”.
The last known CCTV of the 14-year-old showed him heading towards the River Taw in his hometown of Barnstaple, North Devon, on May 8 – with his disappearance sparking a major hunt lasting six weeks before remains were found last week, but many questions remain unanswered.
His shoes were found roughly 480m apart on consecutive days within the first week of the search – which saw helicopters, sonar boats and dive teams, as well as an army of volunteers get involved.
Taylor’s parents Zoe and Alex Charlton have issued multiple emotional statements thanking the public for their support, as well as pleading for answers – including to mark what would have been his 15th birthday on May 26.
Before the remains were found, Zoe released a heart breaking message to her son, saying: “I am absolutely desperate for you to come home.
“I love you so much and I am worried sick about you. You are not in trouble.”
Late last month, Zoe also condemned online trolls, posting a screenshot of a cruel direct message she received mocking his death and comparing him to Jay Slater, a 19-year-old Brit who died in July 2024 after going missing in Tenerife.
Zoe asked: “Why would you even do this right now?”
Alex also shared a teary video on Facebook as he thanked those who’d helped in the search.
The last known CCTV sighting of Taylor was at 10.41pm on May 8 near a footpath close to the Tarka Leisure Centre and Seven Brethren and Tesco car parks in Barnstaple.
He was walking towards the River Taw wearing a bright blue fitted top, jeans and distinctive blue Nike trainers.
He was reported missing at around 5.15pm the following day.
On May 13 and 14 police said his shoes were discovered on consecutive days on the high tide line of the riverbank, along a stretch of the Tarka Trail between Sticklepath and Bickington.
The discovery led police to focus heavily on the river and estuary, under the assumption Taylor had entered the water.
The search proved difficult, with the Bristol Channel the second highest tidal range in the world.
Inspector Andy Wills said over 100 officers were involved and described the stretch of water, including the River Torridge, which flows into the estuary of the Taw, as “really tidal”.
“It’s not a typical search environment, very low visibility in the water,” he continued, adding: “It’s extremely challenging.”
Human remains were then recovered from the river on June 24.
At the time, Inspector Wills said: “It’s a significant development for us. It certainly moves us a step closer to answering some really difficult questions, in particular for Taylor’s loved ones.
“We hope that we will be able to develop those enquiries in the forthcoming days and weeks.”
Devon & Cornwall Police have, however, since insisted the investigation remains at an “extremely early stage” and has urged members of the public not to speculate online.
Inspector Wills had said: “We understand that people want to contribute to the discussion and want to show their condolences and show concern around the investigation, we would ask people to avoid speculation.”
Anyone with relevant information, dashcam, or CCTV footage from the night of May 8 is urged to contact the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency, quoting reference number 50260117084.
