Fundraiser for family of man found dead in Chippenham

Emergency services were called to Monkton Park in Chippenham, shortly before 10am on Monday, June 19, and recovered a body from the river following concerns for the welfare of a man in his 40s.

The man has since been named locally as Sebastian Valeriu, who came to Chippenham from Romania and was financially supporting his family and girlfriend back home.

He had previously worked in The Car Spa and was described as a “good worker” who was “well liked” in the area.

Floral tributes left to Sebastian (Image: Newsquest)

Sebastian had messaged pictures of himself by the river to his girlfriend before he went missing.

Aneta Nieznane, who discovered Sebastian’s belongings by the river and reported him missing to police, has now launched a fundraiser to raise money for his family with their permission.

She said: “I still think about him and his family, and his girlfriend is now in a very bad situation financially because he is no longer sending money.

“I never met Sebastian, but he is always in my mind and I want to do more for him.”

Police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and that a file was set to be passed to the coroner.