Boy, 14, found dead at park after vanishing on his way to school

A sport-loving teen has been found dead at a park after vanishing on this way to school, as West Yorkshire Police refer themselves to watchdog over the death.

Logan Slater, 14, from Brighouse, West Yorkshire, disappeared after leaving his home at around 7.45am on Monday. 

The Brighouse High School student's body was then found on land off Beechwood Park, Brighouse, just two days later on Wednesday.  

West Yorkshire Police has since referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its handling of the case.

Richard Horsfield, headteacher at Brighouse High, said the teenager was a valued member of the school community who had a wide circle of friends.

Mr Horsfield said: 'It was a particular pleasure to see his love and enthusiasm for PE, especially within rugby, grow in the years he spent with us. 

'We will continue to think of his family and all of his friends at this very sad time and will do all we can as a close knit school to support them.

'We are grateful for the time we spent with him and deeply saddened that the time came to such an abrupt end.'

He added that specialist support would be available to students following the death. 

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: 'As a number of calls had been made to the police to report this missing person, a mandatory referral is being made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, to review the actions taken by West Yorkshire Police.'

Described by those who knew him as a vibrant and well-loved young boy, Logan’s absence immediately set off alarm bells. 

His family, desperate for answers, reached out to the local authorities, who began an extensive search to locate the missing teenager.

The community came together in a show of solidarity, offering help in the search efforts, sharing posts across social media, and distributing flyers in hopes of bringing Logan home safely.

But the devastating news of his death broke on Wednesday, leaving the 'close knit' community heartbroken.

The circumstances surrounding Logan’s death are still under investigation, and authorities are working to determine the events that led up to the tragic end.