The picturesque seaside village of Boscastle — known for its historic harbour, craggy cliffs, and old stone cottages overlooking the Atlantic — has in recent days been transformed from tranquil tourist destination to the scene of a deeply worrying disappearance that has gripped both local residents and international onlookers.
Police, family and community volunteers are continuing their desperate search for 37-year-old Alexander Key, the longtime partner of Assisi Jackson, who is the granddaughter of Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger. Key has been missing since last Friday, prompting a widespread appeal for information and growing concern for his welfare.
As new CCTV images and sightings have emerged over successive days, the search has intensified, with the story drawing attention from UK media, international outlets and fans of the iconic rock legend, all hoping for his safe return. Here’s what we know so far about the disappearance and how a normally quiet Cornish community has found itself at the centre of a high-profile missing person investigation.
Last Known Whereabouts: From Pub to Harbour
Alexander Key was first reported missing on the evening of Saturday, January 24, when Devon and Cornwall Police were alerted after he was not seen for an extended period and concerns grew for his welfare.
Police and family appeals initially listed his last sighting as around 2:20 p.m. on Friday, January 23, when CCTV footage showed him leaving The Cobweb Inn, a pub in Boscastle village. In those early images, he was captured sitting alone at the bar before stepping out into the grey afternoon.
However, updated CCTV footage released by police later showed him walking past another local pub — The Wellington — at around 3:25 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, suggesting that he was still moving through the village more than 24 hours after the initially reported sighting. In these images he was seen wearing a red shirt under a blue anorak-style waterproof coat and black trainers.
The second CCTV sighting raised new questions about Key’s actual movements and the timeline of his disappearance — and has become a key clue for investigators and volunteers in the search.
Police believe he was walking in the direction of Boscastle Harbour and the River Valency when last captured on camera, two scenic yet rugged landmarks with narrow footpaths and steep embankments.
Who Is Alexander Key? Life, Family and Community Ties
Though the search has focused on the mystery of his disappearance, those close to Key describe him first and foremost as a family man and respected local business owner.
Key, 37, is known locally as a chef and co-owner of The Rocket Store, a popular seafood restaurant in Boscastle. The establishment — co-run with head chef Freddie Woodruff — is beloved by villagers and visitors alike, serving seafood sourced from local waters and decorated with artwork reflecting the village’s storied maritime heritage.
He lives in Cornwall with Assisi Jackson, 33, and their two daughters, Ezra (11) and Romy (6). The family are well-integrated into the community: many locals know them from Sunday markets, school events, and daily life in a village where neighbours tend to know one another by name.
Assisi is herself a prominent figure — not for celebrity, but for family ties. She is the eldest granddaughter of Sir Mick Jagger, the 82-year-old legendary frontman of the Rolling Stones and one of the most iconic rock performers in history. Jackson’s mother, Jade Jagger, daughter of Mick Jagger and his first wife, Bianca Jagger, publicly shared information about Key’s disappearance on social media, urging anyone with information to help the search.
Despite the international fame of her grandfather, Assisi has largely lived a grounded life in Cornwall: she and Key have built their family far from the relentless glare of celebrity culture, a shift Jagger once described as “a sense of purpose and peace” away from the spotlight.
Police Appeal and Public Response: Growing Concern
Devon and Cornwall Police have described themselves as “growing increasingly concerned for the welfare” of Alexander Key and have repeatedly urged anyone with information to come forward. They have emphasized that the area’s unpredictable weather, with recent storms and cold conditions along the coast, adds urgency to their appeal.
In official statements, officers have highlighted both known sightings and the latest CCTV images in their public appeal, asking that anyone who saw Key — or who has information about where he may have gone — contact police immediately, quoting log number 847 of January 24, 2026.
The search has included patrols by local and regional police units, coastguard teams familiar with the rugged terrain surrounding Boscastle’s harbour, and volunteers from within the community. Social media has amplified the outreach, with hashtags related to the search appearing across platforms and residents sharing images and updates in hopes someone may recognize Key’s distinctive appearance — medium build, peroxide-blonde hair, often bright clothing — and help pinpoint his last known movements.
In addition to the police statements, Assisi Jackson’s mother Jade Jagger shared the appeal on her Instagram account, where she has thousands of followers. Her post helped spread the message widely, with many people expressing solidarity and concern for the family’s plight. Comments ranged from supportive sentiments like “sending strength and hope” to offers of tips and connections from around the UK.
Timeline of the Disappearance: Unanswered Questions
While authorities initially believed Key was last seen on Friday afternoon, the release of subsequent CCTV footage has complicated the timeline — suggesting that he was still visible in public spaces on Saturday afternoon as well.
