A MAN'S body found by police divers in a Chelmsford river on New Year's Eve is that of Adam Passfield, Essex Police confirmed today.

A MAN'S body found by police divers in a Chelmsford river on New Year's Eve is that of Adam Passfield, Essex Police confirmed today.

The death of the 22-year-old, who played non-league football for Heybridge Swifts, is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Formal identification has taken place and we can confirm that it is Adam Passfield who had been reported missing by his family on Saturday, December 19, after failing to return home following a Christmas night out with footballing colleagues in Chelmsford town centre.

“A post-mortem examination is expected week commencing Monday, January 4 in order to determine a provisional cause of death.

“A file will then be prepared for HM Coroner ahead of an inquest which will take place in 2010.”