A teacher who went missing on his 37th birthday was found dead in woodland by a member of the public who had joined a major operation to find him. 

Anthony Hill's disappearance from his home in Thorpe sparked a widespread search operation involving police and volunteers.

Mr Hill had previously worked for Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert.com before leaving to retrain in education.

An inquest into his death opened on Friday at Norfolk Coroner’s Court by Samantha Goward who gave the medical cause of death as hanging.

The court heard that Mr Hill's body was discovered in woodland adjacent to Mousehold Avenue.

He had been reported missing to Norfolk police on the morning of June 17, his birthday, and was last seen caught on CCTV in Co-op in Thorpe.

The court heard that his father, Tony Hill, provided the official identification statement for his son who was found on June 20.

The 37-year-old taught at St William's Primary School - pupils have paid tribute to the man they say was their "favourite teacher".

READ MORE: Body of missing man found with shotgun wound in Thetford Forest

The full inquest is scheduled to be held later this year.

CCTV footage police released of Mr Hill to assist with the searchCCTV footage police released of Mr Hill to assist with the search (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

His wife, Kayleigh Hill, had used social media to thank the community for its help as volunteers in the area pulled together to assist the services searching for him.

READ MORE: Thorpe St Andrew pupils plan event following teacher's death

Mr Lewis helped raise awareness of his former colleague's disappearance in an emotional plea shared to his 3.1 million followers on X.

The TV presenter had made several appeals for the public to help find his former colleague and sent his condolences to the family.

 

"It's with a heavy heart I share this," he wrote, above a police tweet breaking the news.

"My love to Ant's wife Kayleigh and their little girls. It's the worst news. I'm so sorry for all Ant's friends and his little pupils. I will remember you fondly Ant.

"Also thanks to the thousands of you who shared the posts while Ant was missing, I know it gave succour to his family. RIP."