Human remains discovered in woodland in Feltham, south west London, following a wildfire have been identified as those of Joanne Sheen, a 44-year-old mother-of-three who disappeared nearly seven years ago.
The Metropolitan Police were called on the evening of 12 August after bones, believed to belong to a woman aged between 25 and 45, were found near Padstow Walk in Feltham by a member of the public. The area had recently been affected by a blaze, which had damaged the grass and exposed ground where the remains lay.
Extensive forensic examination and DNA testing has now confirmed the remains belong to Ms Sheen, police announced on Thursday, 17 September.
Missing since December 2019
Ms Sheen, 44, had not been seen since she travelled from Fareham, Hampshire, heading to her home city of Southampton, on 5 December 2019. She was reported missing by her family in February 2020.
Feltham, where the remains were found, lies around 60 miles from Southampton. The Metropolitan Police launched a murder inquiry after the discovery, but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have now taken over the investigation following the identification.
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary told the Press Association that the investigation has raised more than 4,000 lines of enquiry and taken more than 300 statements. Officers have carried out detailed searches at more than 10 addresses and on a number of vessels, while specialist teams have searched waterways and woodland around Southampton.
Arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder
As part of the investigation, police have arrested a 56-year-old man from Southampton on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He was arrested on Thursday and remains in police custody.
The man’s name has not been released. The arrest is on suspicion only; no one has been charged in connection with Ms Sheen’s death.
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of £20,000 for information about her killing.
“Several new lines of enquiry”
Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock, of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s major crime team, described the identification as a significant step forward.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
“Throughout this investigation, Joanne’s family have shown tremendous strength and dignity in the face of unimaginable circumstances, and our thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time.”
Appeal for information
Detectives are continuing to piece together what happened to Ms Sheen and are urging anyone with information to come forward — however small it may seem.
“The passage of time does not lessen the importance of that information. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, we would urge anyone who may know something to come forward,” DCI Elcock said.
Anyone with information can contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, or Crimestoppers anonymously.
This is a developing story and police enquiries are continuing.
Reporting based on Sky News via Capital FM and People.
