A family’s desperate search for a missing student ended in shock after police made a chilling discovery in the water. His parents had traveled across the country, refusing to give up hope — until one phone call changed everything

The mum and step dad of Connor Calleja travelled to Lincoln after the student vanished on Sunday. They have been hunting tirelessly until police told them a body had been found in water.

The family of a missing university student said they are “beyond devastated” after a body was recovered from water.

Connor Calleja, 20, disappeared after being denied entry to a nightclub in Lincoln in the early hours of Sunday, January 11th, his family said. He was last seen close to University Bridge in Lincoln. On Tuesday, Lincolnshire Police said a body had been found in Brayford Pool.

His emotional step dad, John Lewis, who has been in Lincoln with wife Lisa searching for Connor, told on Wednesday of their heartbreak. He said on Facebook they had “been overwhelmed by the thoughts and generosity from Lincoln”.

One of the last sightings of Connor Calleja. He was spotted on CCTV walking along University Bridge, Lincoln, in the early hours of Sunday morning, 11 January.(Image: Lincolnshire Police)
“Although we are beyond devastated at this heartbreaking time we have all said that you have all been amazing,” he tearfully said in a video posted on Facebook.

“Today, please hold your loved ones that little bit longer and remember how lucky you are. We will never stop loving you Connor. You are our world.”

Step dad John Lewis fights tears as he thanks the people of Lincoln for their help and tells of their heartbreak after a body was found(Image: FACEBOOK)
The family had 24 hours earlier begged him to come home on social media and said how they had put money in his account just in case he’d run out of money.

“Just come home, you’ve done nothing wrong, you’ve just been out or probably got lost or round a friend’s house. We’ve transferred some money into your account,” his step dad tearfully pleaded in the direct message.

Connor James Calleja was turned away from a nightclub and given a bottle of water(Image: Lincolnshire Police)
He told how his step son had been out celebrating a friend’s birthday and the nightclub would not let him in. His step dad said did not think Connor was drunk.

“He was out with his friends celebrating his friend’s birthday. They were at a nightclub, he didn’t get in because they deemed him…he wasn’t intoxicated but I’m going to be biased.”

“So they gave him a bottle of water and told him to come back later on. He wasn’t allowed in again, and so they sent him off,” the dad added.

Connor was last seen at 1.50am at the University Bridge, then he was filmed again down near the canal boats around 2.10am.

He also told how Connor’s mum Lisa had been ‘amazing’.

A police spokesperson said: “While formal identification has yet to take place, we believe this to be the body of 20-year-old Connor.”

They added: “His family have been made aware and are being supported by specially trained officers. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

“We ask the public and members of the media to respect the family’s privacy at this very difficult time.”

The University of Lincoln said in a statement Mr Calleja was a “much-loved member of our community”

It added: “We know many staff and students will be shocked and saddened by this tragic news. Please take care of yourselves and each other.”

It said it was considering “how our university community can pay its respects to Connor”.

The students’ union said it was “deeply saddened” by the news.

In a statement to students it said: “We know this news is particularly upsetting for many of you, especially those who knew Connor personally or feel unsettled by the situation.

“Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone. If you’re finding it hard to cope, please consider talking to someone.”