Key Points
- The body of Ajani Campbell, aged 41, was discovered near the M67 motorway in Tameside on 3 August 2026.
- It was discovered during inspection by bridge workers near the base of a concrete embankment under a railway bridge.
- Through forensic examination and DNA tests, it was established that the skeletal remains belonged to Mr Campbell.
- On 24 January 2026, Mr Campbell went missing from his mother’s house in Preston and was classified as a high risk missing person.
- According to Greater Manchester Police, Mr Campbell travelled from Preston to Manchester Piccadilly on 24 January, and his CCTV footage was taken on 25 January in the early hours of the day.
- Family members have paid tribute to him, describing him as a “force of nature”, loving and caring, and highly spiritual.
- Greater Manchester Police is appealing for anyone who may have witnessed any information regarding the movements of Mr Campbell after his last sighting to come forward with information.
- Greater Manchester Police says it is open-minded and working with Lancashire Constabulary.
Tameside (Manchester Mirror) September 24, 2026 — The family of Ajani Campbell, whose skeletal remains were found near the M67 motorway, has issued an emotional tribute in which they described the 41-year-old as a “force of nature” whose loss has left them with grief “too deep for words”.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Mr Campbell’s relatives said they were “shattered” by the confirmation that the remains discovered near the motorway belonged to the man who had been missing since January. The family said that, while the search for him had ended, the reality of his death had brought profound pain.
In the tribute, they described him as “a loving, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend”. They said: “It is with shattered hearts that we share the memory of our beloved Ajani, who went missing on 24 January 2026. While the agonising search to find Ajani has concluded, the reality of losing him has left us with a grief too deep for words.”
The family continued:
“Aj was a force of nature, funny, caring, and incredibly loving. He had a zest for life that was evident in everything he did, whether it was working out, exploring nature, or sharing his talent for rapping.”
They added that he was “a deeply spiritual soul” who connected with the world and those around him in a significant way. According to the family, “to know Ajani was to love him”, and he had left “an indelible mark on everyone he encountered”.
The relatives also thanked those who helped during the search. They said:
“We want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who assisted in the search, prayed, and supported us during this challenging time. Although his time on this earth was tragically cut short, his spirit will forever shine in our hearts. Rest easy, our beautiful [son]. You are cherished beyond measure.”
How Were the Remains Found Near the M67?
The remains were discovered on 3 August 2026 by inspectors examining a railway bridge that crosses the M67 in Tameside. Greater Manchester Police said the skeleton was found at the base of a concrete embankment.
The discovery prompted an investigation by Greater Manchester Police. Forensic examination of a bone, followed by DNA testing, established that the remains were those of Mr Campbell.
Police said the identification gave his family some clarity after months of uncertainty, but detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of how he came to be beneath the bridge near the motorway.
When Was Ajani Campbell Last Seen?
Mr Campbell was reported missing from his mother’s address in Preston on 24 January 2026. Greater Manchester Police said he was classified as a high-risk missing person.
According to the force, he took a train from Preston to Manchester Piccadilly on the same day. CCTV footage recorded him walking through Manchester Piccadilly station at 12:30am on 25 January 2026.
Police said he was later tracked to Manchester city centre. He was seen on Deansgate at the junction with Quay Street at 1:48am on 25 January 2026.
Detectives said this was his last known sighting. They are now trying to establish what happened after that point and how he came to be near the M67 in Tameside.
What Are Police Doing Now?
Greater Manchester Police said inquiries remain ongoing as officers work to reconstruct Mr Campbell’s final movements. Detectives are seeking to speak with anyone who may have seen him after his last recorded sighting in Manchester city centre on 25 January.
Detective Sergeant Ian Parker, of GMP’s Tameside division, said the force’s thoughts were with Mr Campbell’s family and loved ones as they received the tragic news.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Detective Sergeant Parker said:
“Thanks to thorough inquiries, specialised forensic work, and DNA testing, we have been able to officially identify the remains as those of Ajani Campbell, who was missing from Preston in January. We have been collaborating closely with Lancashire Constabulary since the start of this investigation, sharing information and assisting one another in establishing the facts.”
He added that the development offered some clarity to the family, but said the investigation was continuing.
“While this development offers some clarity for the family, the investigation is ongoing as efforts continue to trace Ajani’s movements leading up to his last sighting in Manchester city centre,” Detective Sergeant Parker said.
He said:
“We know Ajani was last recorded on CCTV on Deansgate in the early hours of Sunday, January 25, 2026, and we are working diligently to ascertain what transpired afterward.”
Greater Manchester Police also released an image of Mr Campbell arriving at Manchester Piccadilly station by escalator at 12:25am on 25 January 2026, in an appeal for further information.
What Have Detectives Said About the Investigation?
Detectives said they were maintaining an “open mind” and were not ruling out any potential lines of inquiry. Police have not announced a cause of death or said whether anyone is suspected of involvement.
Detective Sergeant Parker urged anyone who saw Mr Campbell at Manchester Piccadilly station, or anywhere in Manchester during that weekend, to contact police. He said even information that may appear minor could assist the investigation.
“Detective Parker urged anyone who may have seen Ajani at the station or anywhere in Manchester that weekend, or anyone with information that could aid the investigation, no matter how trivial it may seem, to reach out,” the Manchester Evening News reported.
Police said information could be submitted through GMP’s major incident portal or by calling 101, quoting reference 415 of 24/08/2026. Anonymous information can also be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Background of the Development
Ajani Campbell was reported missing from Preston in Lancashire on 24 January 2026. Greater Manchester Police said he travelled by train to Manchester on that date and was captured on CCTV at Manchester Piccadilly station in the early hours of 25 January.
He was last seen in Manchester city centre, on Deansgate at the junction with Quay Street, at 1:48am on 25 January 2026. His disappearance was treated as high risk, and Lancashire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police worked together during the search.
On 3 August 2026, inspectors carrying out work on a railway bridge over the M67 in Tameside found skeletal remains at the base of a concrete embankment. Forensic analysis and DNA testing later confirmed they belonged to Mr Campbell. His family has since paid tribute, while detectives continue to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
Prediction: How This Development Could Affect Missing Persons’ Families
For families of missing people, the identification of Mr Campbell’s remains may bring a painful but important form of certainty. Confirmation of a loved one’s death can end the uncertainty of an open missing-person case, allowing relatives to begin grieving, although the lack of answers about what happened can prolong distress.
The case may also encourage people who saw Mr Campbell in Manchester on 24 or 25 January to come forward. Police appeals often depend on members of the public recalling small details, such as seeing someone at a station, on a street, or travelling through the city.
For wider communities in Preston and Greater Manchester, the case highlights the importance of timely reporting and information-sharing when someone is missing. It may also increase public attention on safety around transport routes, city-centre areas and remote locations near motorways, particularly where vulnerable or high-risk missing people are involved.
