A coroner has heard that a police officer who vanished after a night out in Bristol is believed to have drowned.
Officer's final movements and discovery
PC Rehaan Akhtar, aged 28, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, 23 November. He had been socialising with friends in the city but failed to return to his hostel accommodation.
His body was recovered by divers from Bristol's harbourside the following morning, 24 November. He was pronounced dead at 10.39am at Narrow Quay by a fellow officer, PC Adam Rowland, and was formally identified by his mother, Fozia Akhtar.
Coroner opens inquest into tragic death
At Avon Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, 3 December, Assistant Coroner Debbie Rookes opened the inquest into Mr Akhtar's death. The court heard that a post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as drowning.
Mrs Rookes adjourned the proceedings, stating that all necessary statements and evidence must be provided to the court by 5 January 2026. A provisional hearing date has been set for 24 February 2026 at the same court, though this may be subject to change.
Avon and Somerset Police have previously confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious.
Tributes to a 'greatly respected' officer
PC Akhtar, who was from Llanelli, served with South Wales Police. He began his career as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in Cardiff in October 2021 before becoming a sworn police constable, based in Swansea, in September 2023.
Paying tribute, Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan said: "I was shocked and saddened to learn of Rehaan’s passing. At this difficult time, our hearts go out to Rehaan’s family and friends."
He added: "During his time with South Wales Police he served our communities with pride and professionalism... I know he was greatly respected and liked by his colleagues."
