Remains of Brit father are found in a well 25 years after he disappeared in France - as partner is investigated

By SABRINA PENTY, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:43, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 15:43, 29 July 2026 The remains of a missing British man have been found at the bottom of a well over 25 years after his disappearance.  The skeleton of Anthony Rickard was discovered on May 19 in a well located at the home he had shared with his partner, Heather Comins, in Brittany.  She is suspected of his murder and is being held in custody while French police launch a formal investigation into Anthony's death.  The British father disappeared in 2001 shortly after moving to France with his partner and their two children.  Mary Rickard, his daughter from a previous relationship who stayed in the UK, had been searching for her father ever since.  She had reported him missing at the time of his disappearance, even though her stepmother Heather had told her that Anthony had left home with no explanation.  Although an investigation was opened at the time of Anthony's disappearance, authorities failed to make any progress for several years.   In October of last year, Mary launched a new appeal, demanding the investigation be reopened.  Pictured: Anthony Rickard with his daughter before  his disappearance  The British father (pictured here with daughter Mary) had been missing since 2001 A month later, authorities began investigating Anthony's disappearance and very quickly, suspicion fell on his partner Heather.   The search came to a head back in May when Anthony's skeletal remains were discovered.  Heather, now aged 56, was charged with murder this month and placed in pre-trial detention.  According to French media reports, the couple's son, who described his father as a violent alcoholic, told investigators that his mother had confessed to killing Anthony.  He said Heather told him that she had shot his father following an altercation in which Anthony pointed a gun at her, before she turned the weapon on him, French newspaper La Dépêche reported.  She then allegedly hid the body in the well with the help of her own father, who has also been charged.  Anthony's remains were found buried '32 to 49ft' deep in the well earlier.  Investigators said the DNA match showed that the skeleton was a parental relation to Mary. Heather requested bail because she works at an industrial bakery, claiming that she 'never returns to England' and is not a flight risk. The request was rejected.  Daughter Mary reacted to the news with a social media post, writing:  'Justice will be served!!!' 'But i will remain and always will be my fathers daughter who has now lost their dad, their best friend and that can never change! 'I will miss him everyday till the day we are reunited!', she added.