Two young buskers found dead in pond near barracks drowned, say police

The bodies are believed to be those of missing 17-year-old Hugo Wenn and Daniel Lloyd, who is understood to have been in his 20s.

The pair were discovered almost 10 hours apart in Reed Pond, near Howe Barracks in Canterbury, on Monday.

A 54-year-old man arrested on suspicion of their murders was later released without charge, Kent Police said. A 28-year-old man from Canterbury arrested at 9.30pm Tuesday on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs, remained in custody last night.

A spokesman said: “Police investigating the unexplained deaths of two men in a pond in Canterbury have confirmed the post-mortem examinations carried out on the men during the past 24 hours reveal that they both died from drowning. Officers are awaiting further toxicology results. The families of both men have been notified of the outcome of the post-mortem examinations.”

Formal identification of the two men is expected today. They were regularly seen busking in the Canterbury area and their deaths have caused an outpouring of grief.

Thousands of people have written messages of sympathy on Facebook and Twitter, and flowers have been left in the city centre in their memory.

The first body, understood to be Hugo, was seen by a member of the public at around 12pm and the second was found by police divers at 9.40pm.

Hugo went missing last Friday. He was supposed to have met friends at a pub in Canterbury but texted at 8pm, before they arrived, saying he was leaving. He was seen walking along Canterbury High Street alone. Police were later alerted to his disappearance.

On Facebook, more than 1,700 people joined a page set up in tribute to Mr Lloyd, titled RIP Daniel Lloyd. One wrote: “Easily the best busker ever!!!”