Islanders have paid their respects online to John Renouf, a former teacher at Les Quennevais, Le Rocquier and Hautlieu schools who was reported as missing on Friday night.
The Fire and Rescue Service’s inshore lifeboat and cliff rescue teams, as well as both St Helier RNLI lifeboats and a French helicopter, had been searching for the missing 63-year-old in the Portelet Common area.
The police confirmed on Saturday afternoon that a body had been found by a French vessel and was pulled from the sea to the east of the Island by the RNLI.
Following the discovery, the search for Mr Renouf was called off and his family were notified of the developments.
However, no formal identification has yet taken place.
A number of Islanders have taken to social media to express their condolences to Mr Renouf’s family. On the JEP Facebook page, Laura de la Cour said: ‘Thoughts are with his family friends. Sad news.’ Samantha Archdale said: ‘How tragic, so sorry to read this. Thinking of his loved ones.’ And Colleen de la Cour said: ‘So very sad. Thoughts and prayers are for his family and friends.’
A former Les Quennevais student added: ‘A great teacher who would always go beyond his way to help anyone. Nothing was ever too much, and he always had a smile. Thoughts go out to your family.’
