The family of a man whose body was found in the Thames have hit out at the police over their response and say they don't know where his body is.
The body of Paul Conte, 21, from Putney, was pulled out of the River Thames on Wednesday after he was last spotted alive in the Barnes area at 1am on Sunday, 15 August.
Paul's sister, Leanne Conte, has slammed the Metropolitan Police for their response to the missing person appeal, as well as the support they received following her brother's death.
She claims the police haven't told the family where his body is, when they will be able to formally ID it or when it will be released for a funeral.
Leanne said: "The police have been absolutely disgraceful in finding my brother.
"After informing me of my brother being dead, we have had no further contact.
"We don't know where he is currently being held.
"We have no idea what is meant to happen next. We haven't even been to officially ID him yet."
Paul had texted his girlfriend at 12.40am on Sunday to let her know he was walking home – a journey that was expected to take around an hour.
When the kickboxing instructor didn’t make it back, his family reported him missing.
Later, CCTV footage of him in the early hours was discovered and is thought to be the last sighting of him alive.
His body was found by a member of the public in the River Thames at Putney Bridge at 7am on Wednesday.
Leanne has praised the public for the help they offered but feels the police let her family down.
"We found the footage so we could find the location he was seen, we told them where they needed to look," she said.
"A passer-by spotted him in the Thames.
"The police have had their job done for them by the public yet we still have no idea of where my brother actually is."
After the news of Paul's death broke, a fundraiser was setup by a friend to help his family with funeral costs.
It has so far raised more than £15,000.
Mitchell Wakeford, who launched the fundraiser, said: "Paul was an amazing son, brother, teacher, boyfriend & friend and this has came as a shock to everyone.
"Paul was bubbly, always had loads of energy and always put others before him.
"He loved his kickboxing, loved the gym and loved socialising.
"He was such a sweet young, loving and caring soul, and we want to do everything we can to give him the best send off that he deserves."
Detective Chief Inspector Clive Vale, South West Public Protection Team, said: “My deepest sympathies go out to Paul’s family at this incredibly difficult time.
"We understand that this is a painful and difficult time for Paul’s friends and family. Officers are continuing to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of Paul’s death, which is being treated as unexplained.
"This was not the outcome that any of us had hoped for. In situations like these, we aim to do everything in our power to find out what happened and bring closure to the family. As part of our efforts to find Paul we conducted searches, reviewed CCTV, and conducted face to face enquiries.
“We are working closely with the coroner’s office and liaising with his family.
“As is routine in the circumstances, the matter has been referred to the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards."
