Connor Calleja, 20, vanished after leaving a Lincoln nightclub early Sunday; police recovered a body Tuesday from Foss bank near the university.
At a Glance
- Connor Calleja, 20, was last seen on University Bridge at 1:50 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 11
- A body was found Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Foss bank near Lincoln’s Brayford Pool
- Police say no suspicious circumstances; family has been notified
- Why it matters: A tight-knit campus is grieving the loss of a “much-loved” student
Connor Calleja’s weekend night out ended in heartbreak. The University of Lincoln undergraduate disappeared in the early hours of Jan. 11 after being denied entry to a nightclub, and two days later investigators recovered a body from a nearby waterway.
Timeline of Disappearance
- 1:50 a.m. Sunday – Calleja crosses University Bridge
- 2:09 a.m. – Final sighting near Court 1 on campus
- Tuesday morning – Body located in Foss bank
Lincolnshire Police released the timeline in an updated appeal, noting the 20-year-old was wearing a blue jumper with red-and-white sleeve stripes, blue jeans and white trainers. Officers searched the Foss bank body of water that borders the city’s Brayford Pool and made the grim discovery.
Family Told of Discovery
“While formal identification has yet to take place, we believe this to be the body of 20-year-old Connor who was last seen in Lincoln on Sunday 11 January 2026,” police said in a statement. “His family have been made aware and are being supported by specially trained officers. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Authorities urged the public and media to respect the family’s privacy “at this very difficult time.”
Stepfather Shares Last Moments
John Lewis, Calleja’s stepfather, told local outlets that after the nightclub refused entry, his stepson attempted to head back to his residence. The detour set the stage for the disappearance that prompted a campus-wide search.
Campus Mourns ‘Much-Loved’ Student
The University of Lincoln posted condolences on social media Tuesday: “Connor was a much-loved member of our community and we know many staff and students will be shocked and saddened by this tragic news. Please take care of yourselves and each other.”
Counseling services are available on campus, and the university promised to share details later about memorial arrangements.
Calleja, originally from Market Harborough in Leicestershire, had become part of the close-knit student body since enrolling at Lincoln.
Investigation Closed
Police wrapped up the search after the body was recovered; no foul play is suspected. Formal identification will still be carried out, but investigators are confident they have found Connor Calleja.
Key Takeaways
- A two-day search ended with the discovery of a body in Foss bank
- Police say circumstances are not suspicious
- The University of Lincoln is offering counseling and planning memorial events
