The HM Coroner for Dorset has confirmed that the missing body recovered from the plane is Emiliano Sala.
Dorset Police released a statement on their website and identified the body as the missing footballer’s.
“The families of Mr Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson have been updated with this news and will continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers.
“Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.
“HM Coroner will continue to investigate the circumstances of this death supported by Dorset Police.
“On Monday 21st January 2019, a plane carrying both men was flying from Nantes to Cardiff when it lost contact with Air Traffic Control, north of Guernsey.
“Sadly a search and rescue operation was unsuccessful in locating the plane and the two occupants. Subsequently AAIB and privately funded search teams were deployed to the relevant area.
“Using specialist equipment, the teams succeeded in locating and identifying the plane and recovering Mr Sala’s body.”
The 28-year-old Argentine forward was travelling on the aircraft with pilot David Ibbotson when it went missing over the Channel Islands last month.
It was reported on Monday that the Air Accidents Investigation Branch confirmed that a body had been found in the wreckage of the plane.
According to the AAIB, underwater video footage found that ‘one occupant [is] visible’ in the wreckage.
The Piper Malibu plane that the two were aboard was found on the seabed off Guernsey.
At this moment in time, there are no further updates on the 59-year-old pilot.
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