The search for a missing Manchester man has ended in tragedy. The family of 43-year-old Anton Green have been told that a body discovered in Colombia is believed to be him.
Anton, who was originally from Whalley Range, had spent the last two and a half years building a life in the South American country. But in August, his regular messages to his family stopped completely.
British officials have now confirmed that the body of a UK national was found. The devastating update came just hours after Anton’s family had renewed their public appeal for information on his whereabouts.
The family described themselves as completely devastated. Right now, they are trying to process the tragic news and come to terms with the sudden loss.
A Sudden Silence
The breakthrough came in the early hours of Thursday morning when police delivered the news to his relatives in the UK. They are now waiting for more formal details from investigators at the Attorney General’s Office in Bogota.
For his mother, Nylva McKie-Williams, the sudden silence over the summer was immediately alarming. Anton was always in regular contact. She remembered their very last phone call in August. He ended the conversation by saying, “we will speak at the weekend.” That was the last time she ever heard his voice.
“It was so unlike him not to be in contact with us,” Nylva said before the tragic discovery.
Anton had initially visited South America as a traveler but loved it so much he decided to make it his home. He had lived there for nearly three years, spoke fluent Spanish, and had recently moved to the Fontibon area of the capital city, Bogota. His sister, Sian Tuohey, described him as a happy, decent guy who was simply enjoying his life abroad.
Community Support
His disappearance sparked a major social media campaign, which even drew support from professional sports stars. Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford shared the appeal with his millions of followers last month, calling Anton a “family friend.” Rashford had played in the United youth ranks alongside Anton’s brother, Ro-Shaun Williams.
As the investigation continues in Bogota, the UK Government is stepping in to assist the family. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed: “We are aware of the death of a British national in Colombia and are providing support to their family.”