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Police have found a body in the hunt for a man whose disappearance seven years ago resulted in his girlfriend's ex-husband being jailed for murder.
David Guilfoyle, 37, vanished in May 2005 after striking up a relationship with Debbie Fitzpatrick in Accrington, Lancashire.
Ms Fitzpatrick's ex-husband, guillotine operator Shane Fitzpatrick was jailed for life after a jury convicted him of killing Mr Guilfoyle in a jealous rage.
Lancashire Police said today that the body was discovered yesterday during a search of Admiral's Wood near Bolton by Bowland in Lancashire.
It is believed Fitzpatrick, 42, previously of Hapton, recently confessed his guilt to detectives and told them where he hid the body.
The remains were found in a shallow grave.
A police spokesman said: "We can confirm that officers searching an area of Admiral's Wood near Bolton by Bowland have found a body.
"The discovery was made on the afternoon of Friday November 9.
"The searches were carried out after new information was passed to police about the possible whereabouts of the body of David Guilfoyle."
He added: "Whilst it is too early at this stage to confirm whether the body is that of David Guilfoyle we have specialist officers supporting David's family and they are aware of this development and are being kept fully informed."
Mr Guilfoyle was murdered at his home in Royds Avenue, Accrington, and despite the absence of his body police found a trail of blood splatterings proving he was attacked there.
Fitzpatrick was convicted of murder in July 2006 and jailed for life with a minimum 20-year term.
Mr Guilfoyle vanished after watching Liverpool win the 2005 Champions League at the Grey Horse pub, Whalley Road, Accrington.
He had driven away in his green Jaguar XK8 convertible but the alarm was raised when later on he did not answer his phone.
Mr Guilfoyle owned a series of properties but was also involved in the criminal underworld and made money selling smuggled cigarettes.
PA