Police confirm death of missing DJ Derek

Police have confirmed the death of DJ Derek following the discovery of a body earlier this month. 

The veteran DJ from Bristol went missing in July 2015 sparking a nationwide search led by fans of the 73-year-old who was a popular figure on the festival circuit. 

Human remains were discovered close to Cribbs Causeway shopping centre in Patchway with subsequent DNA tests confirming they were those of Derek Serpell-Morris. 

“Derek’s family have been updated and our thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time,” a spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said.

“A post-mortem examination carried out earlier this week was inconclusive and further tests are being progressed, but we’re not treating Derek’s death as suspicious. We’re continuing to carry out further inquiries on behalf of the coroner’s office.”

DJ Derek's mix of rocksteady, reggae, ska, dancehall and soul won his fans across the South West and he was a regular at Glastonbury. 

A number of artists and musicans took to Twitter to pay their respects:

Sad news about #DJDerek ... I guess we all hoped beyond hope that he'd be found alive. Was an honour to meet him. https://t.co/3nw1KOtRYk

— Horace Panter (@horacepanterart) March 11, 2016

RIP Dj Derek https://t.co/3RS0h1XJhg xxx

— Cerys Matthews (@cerysmatthews) March 17, 2016

A public celebration of Derek’s life and career in music is being planned for the end of April at a venue in St Paul’s.

“We want this to be a joyous occasion, which will of course include music. It will be a celebration of Derek’s life and the impact he had on his city,” Derek's brother, Gerald Serpell-Morris told the Bristol Post.