Michael Bretton charged with murder and stalking after human remains found in Somerset; victim believed to be missing man Craig Hurcombe.

Michael Bretton, 40, of Shaftesbury, Dorset, has been charged with murder and stalking following the discovery of human remains in Gurney Slade, Somerset. The remains are believed to be those of Craig Hurcombe, a 40-year-old man from Wiltshire who was reported missing on January 10. Formal identification is pending, and a post-mortem is scheduled. Bretton has been remanded in custody and is set to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court. Police have confirmed no ongoing public risk, the victim’s family is receiving support, and a public portal has been launched to gather information. A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior police contact with the deceased.