A heartbreaking Joanne Sheen friend tribute has been paid after the remains of the mum-of-three were found in Feltham woodland, almost seven years after she vanished. Rachel Roussel, 47, from Southampton, said the discovery was “absolutely devastating” — “nothing could prepare you for that, nothing at all.”
Ms Roussel, who met Ms Sheen in 2003, said she had steeled herself for bad news but nothing could lessen the blow when detectives confirmed the remains were those of her friend, affectionately known as “Little Jo”.
“It’s something that everybody’s heavily anticipated, and you kind of get yourself ready and prepare yourself for it. But nothing could prepare you for that, nothing at all.”
Joanne Sheen, 44, had not been seen since travelling from Fareham towards her home city of Southampton on 5 December 2019. The Metropolitan Police were called on the evening of 12 August after bones, thought to belong to a woman aged between 25 and 45, were found at shrubland known as The Pits near Padstow Walk in Feltham, after the area had been affected by a fire.
A murder investigation was launched, but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have since taken over the inquiry. A 56-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder on Thursday.
Devastation for Joanne Sheen’s daughters
The Joanne Sheen friend tribute centred on the pain of Ms Sheen’s three daughters, two of whom have become mothers themselves during the years their mum was missing. Ms Roussel said the years of uncertainty had been particularly difficult for them.
“Her daughters are mums themselves now, so they’ve had their babies, and their mum wasn’t there for that. To have to go through something like this and to have to be going through it for so long, seven years, is just unfathomable.”
Ms Roussel has launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help give her friend “a send-off that she so rightly deserves”. She said the family can now focus on helping the girls, bringing her home and laying her to rest at last.
“Now we can focus on helping the girls, bringing her home, and set about laying her to rest finally, which is what they’ve wanted to do.”
“A big, big personality”
In an emotional account of her friend, Ms Roussel described Ms Sheen as a devoted mother with an infectious sense of humour.
“She was just lovely, she’d do anything for you, if you needed to nip to the shop, she’d stay and watch the children. She was a devoted mum, a completely devoted mum, every ounce of her energy went into those girls, it was amazing. She was just so much fun to be around, she had a personality that was a bit crazy, but you loved her for it. She had a wicked sense of humour, a fantastic laugh that I’ll never forget, she could make you belly laugh until your belly hurt. She was a big, big personality, an amazing friend, and she will be very sadly missed, very greatly missed by lots of people.”
Police renew appeal after ‘significant development’
Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock of Hampshire and Isle of Wight police said the identification of Ms Sheen’s remains was a “significant development” in what he described as a long and complex investigation, which has generated more than 4,000 lines of inquiry, more than 300 statements and detailed searches at more than 10 addresses and on numerous vessels.
“This is a significant development in what has been a long and complex investigation and provides us with several new lines of enquiry, which we are exploring with our dedicated team.”
“While this tragic discovery is not the outcome Joanne’s family, or any of us, had hoped for, we hope the identification of her remains can at least begin to provide some answers after many years of uncertainty.”
He added that the family had shown “tremendous strength and dignity in the face of unimaginable circumstances”, and said the force remained committed to establishing exactly what happened to Ms Sheen and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
Crimestoppers has reinstated a £20,000 reward for information. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the remains were found by a member of the public after nearby land was affected by a recent wildfire. The site is close to Bedfont Lakes Country Park. An incident log on the London Fire Brigade’s website showed that four fire engines and about 25 firefighters had tackled a grass fire in the area on 5 August, with about two hectares of shrubland damaged in the blaze.
Anyone with information is asked to contact 101, quoting Operation Blackboard or reference 44200068330, or report online. To be eligible for the reward and to stay completely anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Reporting based on LADbible.
