Body discovered near island where NZ monk went missing

By CathNews New Zealand

May 8th, 2026

Papa Stronsay (Colin Park/Wikimedia Commons)

A body has been recovered from the water off the Orkney island of Stronsay in Scotland, near where a New Zealand monk went missing last month. Source: BBC.

Police Scotland said the body was spotted just after 7.30am on May 6 and that inquiries were at an early stage. Kirkwall Lifeboat responded to a call from coastguards to assist.

Searches have been ongoing for 24-year-old Br Ignatius Maria, who went missing from neighbouring Papa Stronsay on April 11. Justin Evans took the name “Br Ignatius Maria” in religious life with the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Formal identification of the body had not taken place as of May 6, however his family had been informed. Police said in a statement: “The death is being treated as unexplained. Inquiries are ongoing. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”

The Diocese of Aberdeen previously said it felt “deep sadness” at the “disappearance and presumed death” of Br Ignatius.

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Body found close to island where monk went missing (BBC)