Leah Croucher: Human remains found at Furzton home in search for missing teen
Detectives searched house after finding ‘personal items’ belonging to missing teen
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Police investigating the murder of teenager Leah Croucher have uncovered human remains at an address in Milton Keynes where some of her belongings were found.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) launched a murder probe on Wednesday after finding Ms Croucher’s “personal belongings” at an address in Milton Keynes on Loxbeare Drive.
The 19-year-old was last seen in the city at about 8.15am on 15 February 2019 when CCTV images captured her walking along Buzzacott Lane. It was thought she was making her way to work but she never arrived.
A large-scale missing person investigation was launched but no trace of her had been found until Monday.
Officers working on the case began searching an address on Loxbeare Drive, Furzton on Monday evening, following a call from a member of the public. Items were discovered including “a rucksack and personal possessions belonging to Leah Croucher”.
TVP later said it had identified human remains at the address.
Good afternoon.
Welcome to The Indpendent’s coverage of the Leah Croucher case as police search a property in Milton Keynes linked to the teenager’s disappearance.
We’ll bring you live updates as soon as we have them.
Who is Leah Croucher?
Leah Croucher is a 19-year-old from Milton Kenyes, who went missing three years ago. She was last seen at about 8.15am on 15 February 2019 - a day after visiting her parents.
She was last seen on CCTV walking along along Buzzacott Lane - it was thought she was walking to work but she never arrived and has not been seen since.
Ms Croucher was described by loved ones as "very quiet" and "not really an outgoing type of person", preferring to read fantasy fiction or watch DVDs in her room to nights out at the pub.
She had competed internationally in taekwondo but her father said she was "not a fighter".
Her family was struck by further tragedy when Ms Croucher’s brother, Haydon Croucher, died at the age of 24 in November 2019.
His mother said he had found the disappearance of his sister "very difficult".
Police release new images amid seach
Police in February this year released a CCTV image of a mystery person they wanted to speak to about the case.
Detectives believe a figure dressed in black shown in the CCTV image may be of Ms Croucher from Fuzton Lake, near to where she was last seen.
The image also shows a group of three people walking, while a separate photo issued by police shows a dog-walker they are keen to speak to.
My colleague Tom Batchelor has more details below.
New image of mystery figure released on third anniversary of teenager’s disappearance
Officers urge public to get in touch if they recognise themselves in photo
Murder investigation launched
Police launched a murder investigation earlier today after finding “personal items” belonging to Ms Croucher at a property in Milton Keynes.
Officers working on the case began searching an address on Loxbeare Drive, Furzton on Monday evening, following a call from a member of the public. Items were discovered including “a rucksack and personal possessions belonging to Leah Croucher”.
As a result, detectives have launched a murder investigation, Thames Valley Police (TVP) said on Wednesday.
More details below:
Murder probe launched as police find missing teen’s ‘personal possessions’
Police say scene is ‘complex and challenging’
Human remains found
Hours after launching the murder investigation, police give an update saying they have discovered human remains.
Thames Valley Police confirmed it identified human remains during forensic examinations in Loxbeare Drive, Milton Keynes, during the search for the missing teenager.
My colleague Thomas Kingsley reports:
Human remains found in search fo Leah Croucher
The teenager has been missing since 2019 when she was last seen on CCTV walking to work but never arrived
House where human remains found just half a mile from where Ms Croucher was last seen
The property where police uncovered human remains in the search for missng teenager Leah Croucher is located less than half a mile from where she was last seen.
Detective are focusing their efforts on a house in Loxbeare Drive - Ms Croucher was last seen on Buzzacott Lane.
The map below shows the distance between the two roads.
Parents launch appeal on 1 year anniversary
Leah Croucher’s parents launched an emotional appeal for information about their daughter exactly a year after she disappared.
“Every day I feel like I’ve given up hope, and it’s a big struggle to get that hope back,” Claire Croucher, Leah’s mother said.
“It’s more and more difficult because, if someone took Leah for example, she’s suffering for 365 days and no one wants that for their child,” she added.
The couple said: “Again, we ask for the public’s help. You have all been so wonderful so far, still helping us search every face in the streets to see if they are Leah, still sharing on social media, still reporting possible sightings to the police.
My colleague Tom Batchelor has more:
New image of mystery figure released on third anniversary of teenager’s disappearance
Officers urge public to get in touch if they recognise themselves in photo