The search for Alexander Key, the 37-year-old partner of Assisi Jackson—Mick Jagger’s granddaughter—has ended in sorrow with the discovery of a body in the sea off Bude, Cornwall. On Saturday, January 31, 2026, emergency services recovered the remains of a man from the water, and while formal identification awaits postmortem procedures, Devon and Cornwall Police have stated they believe it to be Key, who disappeared nine days earlier after leaving a pub in nearby Boscastle.
Key, a dedicated chef and co-owner of a local seafood restaurant, lived a quiet life on a farm with Jackson, 33, and their two young daughters. The couple built their family away from the glare of celebrity, embracing rural Cornwall’s beauty and challenges. Friends portray Key as a loving father, reliable partner, and integral part of the tight-knit community, where his culinary skills and warm personality left a lasting mark.
The sequence of events began on Friday, January 23, when Key visited the Cobweb Inn in Boscastle around 2:30 p.m. CCTV captured him sitting alone before departing. Initial reports pegged this as his final sighting, but updated footage released by police showed him the next day, Saturday, January 24, at about 3:25 p.m., walking past The Wellington pub on Old Road toward Boscastle Harbour and the River Valency. This new detail redirected search efforts to the harbor vicinity, coastal cliffs, and surrounding paths.
By Saturday evening, January 24, Key had not returned home, prompting his family to alert Devon and Cornwall Police. Officers described mounting concern for his safety, citing his local knowledge but warning of the coastline’s hazards—steep drops, powerful tides, and slippery rocks amplified by winter weather. The force quickly escalated the response, issuing public appeals and sharing CCTV images to jog memories.
Assisi Jackson, daughter of Jade Jagger and granddaughter to Sir Mick through his eldest child, spearheaded emotional calls for help alongside extended family members. Social media posts and police statements conveyed raw desperation: “We are desperate to find him,” one read, pleading for tips from anyone who might have encountered him or noticed two specific dog walkers captured on camera moving in the opposite direction. The Jagger connection amplified visibility, drawing global media attention and an influx of supportive messages from fans and strangers alike.
Over the ensuing days, the operation grew extensive. Police teams, HM Coastguard, volunteers, and locals combed beaches, harbors, trails, and cliffs around Boscastle and northward. Boscastle’s dramatic setting—its narrow harbor framed by steep valleys and infamous for past floods—became a focal point of hope mixed with dread. The community rallied, sharing sightings and offering practical aid while holding quiet vigils for the missing man.
Tragically, on January 31 around 6:30 p.m., reports of a body in the sea at Bude prompted an immediate response. Officers and coastguard confirmed the man deceased at the scene. Police stressed the death is not treated as suspicious, preparing a file for the coroner to establish precise cause and circumstances. Sir Mick Jagger’s family received notification promptly, marking the shift from frantic hope to profound mourning.
Cornwall’s coastline has long posed risks to even experienced residents and visitors. Strong currents, sudden weather shifts, and unprotected edges have led to similar incidents over the years. Authorities routinely advise caution: check tide tables, stick to paths, avoid lone walks in low light, and carry means of communication. Key’s case reinforces these warnings, illustrating how a familiar route can turn perilous without warning.
For the Jagger dynasty, this loss adds to a history marked by both triumphs and personal hardships. Sir Mick, the enduring Rolling Stones frontman now in his ninth decade, has always kept family matters relatively private despite worldwide fame. Assisi Jackson has carved her own path in agriculture and motherhood, far from stage lights. The two daughters now navigate grief at tender ages, surrounded by a supportive network of relatives and friends.
Tributes have begun flowing in from those who knew Key best. Colleagues recall his passion for fresh, local ingredients; neighbors his readiness to help; and loved ones his unwavering devotion as a parent and partner. The once-urgent appeals for sightings have transformed into shared memories and condolences.
As the coroner’s process unfolds, the story lingers as a poignant reminder of vulnerability amid natural splendor. Cornwall’s wild beauty draws millions, yet demands respect. In Boscastle and beyond, life moves forward, but with an indelible void where a father, partner, and friend once stood. The family’s pain echoes far beyond their farm, touching anyone who has feared the worst during a loved one’s absence.
