UPDATE: 12.47pm

A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board confirmed that although Mr Cecil disappeared from the Royal Gwent Hospital on Saturday, he "was not a patient at the hospital, at the time.”

He added: “The Health Board and our staff share the sadness expressed by so many on the news of Mr Cecil’s sad death and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at his loss, in such tragic circumstances.

UPDATE: 12.39pm

Gwent Police confirmed the circumstances of Roger Cecil's death have been referred to Police watchdog, the IPCC because a witness spoke to a Gwent Police officer before Mr Cecil was found dead. He said the referral relates to that specific interaction.

The witness is a man who Gwent Police believe picked up Mr Cecil because he was concerned for the 72-year-old's safety.

The spokesman said Mr Cecil was picked up by at about 12.45am Sunday morning (February 22nd) on the A4042 between Newport and Llanyrafon. He was then dropped off close to Treherbert Road (off the A4042) at about 1am Sunday morning and this was the last confirmed sighting of him.

He added: "As soon as Mr Cecil was reported missing, a comprehensive search was implemented to locate him which included: 50 officers including specially trained search officers, dogs and helicopter.

"Search routes included: areas surrounding Newport and the Royal Gwent Hospital and the routes on the A4042 to his home address as well as the area around the Crematorium Roundabout, Treherbert Road as far as the Farmers' Arms pub."

The spokesman said Mr Cecil's death is being treated as unexplained at this time.

He added Gwent Police's condolences "remain with his family who are being supported by specially trained officers throughout this difficult time."

UPDATE: 9.09am
Wednesday 25 Feb

Roger Cecil is a renowned painter and teacher who produces abstract described as being "rich in imagery, poetry and colour, which are drawn from his environment, the industrial valley towns and mountains.

UPDATE: 10.08pm

POLICE looking for a missing man with dementia say they have found a body.

Officers searching for 72 year old Roger Cecil from Abertillery, who went missing from the Royal Gwent Hospital, were called to a field off Treherbert Road, Cwmbran by a member of the public who had discovered the body of a man at approximately 4.15pm today.

A spokesman said the formal identification process has yet to be completed but added "sadly it's thought that the body is that of Mr Cecil.

"At this time the death is being treated as unexplained and Mr Cecil's family have been informed and will be supported at this difficult time."

Gwent Police have referred the circumstances of the death to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

UPDATE: 4.53pm

SEARCHES are continuing today for a missing man suffering from dementia.

Police were searching alongside the A4042 in the Pontypool and Croesyceiliog areas for Roger Cecil, as well as mountain areas surrounding Abertillery.

The 72 –year-old went missing from the Royal Gwent Hospital at about 3.15pm on Saturday February 21.

Officers are re-appealing for information to help locate Mr Cecil who is from the Abertillery area, and officers are concerned for his safety as he suffers from dementia and is vulnerable.

Following an initial appeal for information, it has been established that the last sighting of Mr Cecil was at Treherbert Road (off the A4042) at about 1am on Sunday morning.

He was also seen a little earlier at about 12.45am walking on the A4042 between Newport and Llanyrafon.

When he was last seen he was wearing a dark beanie hat, a dark jacket and dark trousers. He was also wearing an orange hi- vis vest.

Anyone who has seen Mr Cecil or has any information about his whereabouts is asked to ring 101 or 999 in an emergency quoting log 358 of 21/02/15.