Police have issued a statement today
Sarah Keeling, 45, and Grace Keeling, aged 15. (Image: Humberside Police / SWNS)
Police believe a body found on Withernsea beach is that of teenager Grace Keeling. The 15-year-old was tragically swept out to sea in rough weather two weeks ago.
Humberside Police have issued a statement today (January 17) confirming that emergency services and HM Coastguard have been able to recover a body. The force also said: “Whilst formal identification is yet to take place, we believe this person to be 15-year-old Grace Keeling who was swept into the sea on Friday, 2 January 2026.”
Grace was tragically swept into the sea in a tragedy that left the East Yorkshire town in mourning. Her mum Sarah Keeling, 45, went in to try and save her and also lost her life, along with 67-year-old passerby Mark Ratcliffe, who tried to help them both.
The bodies of Sarah and Mark were recovered on the evening of Friday, January 2. The alarm had been raised just after 3pm that afternoon, prompting a multi-agency search and rescue operation involving the Coastguard, RNLI, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
The search continued for Grace on Saturday, January 3 in treacherous winter weather including snow and freezing temperatures, but was called off in the late afternoon.
Yesterday, police confirmed they had secured a location after a body was discovered. Recovery was not possible immediately due to high tide.
In a statement issued today, Detective Superintendent Simon Vickers said: “This was a deeply upsetting incident, and I cannot begin to understand the heartbreak felt by all the loved ones of those involved. We have spoken with Grace’s family and updated them, and we are continuing to support them with specially trained officers at this extremely difficult time. Understandably, they have asked for their privacy, and we would ask that this is respected.
“Grace’s body was discovered at around 8.30am on Thursday, 15 January 2026 by Humberside Police Search Advisors during the extensive searches that have continued over the last fourteen days to find her. Due to tide times, conditions and the location, despite every effort it was not possible to safely recover Grace before high tide yesterday. This morning (Saturday, 17 January 2026), with the help of HM Coastguard, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and other specialist assistance, we have been able to safely recover Grace.
“I would like to reiterate my thanks to everyone who offered their assistance and support in the search for Grace, your help is as always very much appreciated. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies will always remain with the families of Grace and Sarah Keeling, and Mark Ratcliffe following this utter tragedy.”