The search for Gboyega Odubanjo, an award-winning poet who went missing over the weekend, has taken a turn as police have discovered a body in their efforts to locate him. Odubanjo, a 27-year-old rising star in the UK poetry scene, was last seen at around 4 am on a Saturday in the Kelmarsh area of Northamptonshire, where he was attending the Shambala festival and was scheduled to perform later that day.

Northamptonshire police reported that officers searching the area made the  discovery of the poets body on the 31/08/23 before 9am. Although formal identification had not yet been taking place at the time, Odubanjo's family has been informed. 

An outpour of condolences had since followed the poet’s untimely death with his family since launching a fundraiser which has raised over £40,000.

According to the police statement, it is said that the police have found no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. The search for Odubanjo has become a collaborative effort, with police search dogs, specially trained police search adviser officers, neighbourhood and response police officers, a police dive team, and volunteers from Northamptonshire search and rescue all contributing to the search operation.

Odubanjo, who originates  from Bromley, south London, was pursuing a PhD at Hertfordshire University. He had already achieved recognition for his work, winning the Poetry Business New Poets prize in 2020 for his work with, "Aunty Uncle Poems." Additionally, he received an Eric Gregory award from the Society of Authors and a Michael Marks pamphlet award for his contributions to the world of poetry.

DCI Johnny Campbell expressed condolences, stating, "Our thoughts are with the man's family at this very difficult time, and we would ask the media and members of the public to not contact them and respect their privacy." He expressed gratitude to all those who had contributed to the search efforts, including Northamptonshire search and rescue volunteers, search-trained officers from other forces, and individuals who provided information.

As the investigation progresses, a police file will be prepared for the coroner.