THE death of a teenager missing from home has taken several dramatic new twists as the mystery deepens.
The body of 17-year-old James Dollery was found behind a taxi office in Waterloo less than a quarter of a mile from his home at Sunnymead on Tuesday afternoon.
He had been missing since mid-November, but detectives have now revealed they believe he had been dead for only two weeks.
And it has also emerged that James had suffered a badly broken spine.
A 22-year-old Huddersfield man was arrested in connection with James's death yesterday afternoon and later released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Now the mystery leaves two big questions to answer - where has James been since November 19 last year and how did he suffer such severe spine injuries?
The results of further tests taken at a post-mortem will be known within a week and may shed new light on the mystery.
The detective leading the investigation, Det Supt John Parkinson, has set up an incident room at Huddersfield police station.
He said he would not go so far yet as to describe James' death as "suspicious."
But he said: "This is a death in very strange circumstances and we need to find out what happened."
James' body was found behind Tandem Taxis on Wakefield Road, Tandem, Waterloo just after 4pm on Monday.
He was found by a taxi employee below a steep retaining wall and banking which leads up to Penistone Road.
The spot where James lay is tucked away behind the detached taxi office and is impossible to see from Penistone Road.
Det Supt Parkinson said James's severe spinal injuries could be consistent with a fall of 20ft or so from the banking.
He confirmed that on the evening James vanished - November 19 last year - he met friends in Waterloo and they had all parted at about 9.30pm. James was never seen again even though he is well-known in the area.
An employee at Tandem Taxis on Wakefield Road had checked the outside of the office around two weeks ago and James' body was not there then.
Det Supt Parkinson said: "The condition of James's body is consistent with him being dead and exposed to the elements for about two weeks and I don't think he's been dead any longer than that. He appeared well-nourished."
Police are now anxious to discover where James has been staying for more than two months.
Det Supt Parkinson added: "We would urge people to check their outhouses, garages and sheds to make sure no-one has been sleeping in them, but it seems unlikely James has been sleeping rough.
"He was found quite close to where he lived and socialised and I feel confident it is likely he was in that area during the time he was missing."
This morning police appealed for a man who was spotted on the waste ground off Penistone Road above Tandem Taxis at about 12.10am on Tuesday, February 3.
He was seen poking around on the ground with a stick or umbrella and went away, but returned a short time later and had another search.
He is in his mid 40s, about 5ft 7ins and medium to chubby build. He wore a dark hooded anorak with fur around the hood.
James' grieving mother, 48-year-old Pauline Dollery, his father, Clive, and sister, Ella, all appeared at a press conference at Huddersfield police station yesterday and appealed for help to find out what happened.
Tearful Ella, 22, paid an emotional tribute to her brother.
She said: "James was an amazing, funny, kind, wonderful person. He was honest, caring, popular and the best friend I'll ever have in my life.
"He was my only brother and I was so proud of him.
"I miss him. I miss him very much.
"I have no idea where he may have been or how his life ended in this awful way.
"I believe somebody must know something about where he's been.
"Don't be afraid to come forward."
Mrs Dollery said: "Someone must know where James has been and what he has been up to. If he has been staying with someone since November then that person must come forward now.
"We would urge anyone who knows anything at all - no matter how insignificant it may be - to tell the police so we know where James has been and how he met his death. We need to know what happened to James."
Anyone with information should contact Huddersfield police on 01484 436659.
