Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Laurel Aldridge: Body found is Mackenzie Crook’s sister-in-law, police confirm

The 62-year-old was reported missing from her home in Walberton, near Arundel in West Sussex, on February 14.

Nina Lloyd
Thursday 02 March 2023 18:02 GMT
Laurel Aldridge has been missing since Tuesday (Family/PA)
Laurel Aldridge has been missing since Tuesday (Family/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A body found in the search for a missing woman has been formally identified as that of Laurel Aldridge.

The 62-year-old sister-in-law of actor Mackenzie Crook was reported missing from her home in the village of Walberton, near Arundel in West Sussex, on February 14.

Following an 11-day search, police said on Saturday that a body was found in the Tortington Lane area of the town.

Formal identification has now taken place, Sussex Police confirmed on Thursday.

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the force said: “Sadly the body of a woman has been found in the Tortington Lane area of Arundel.

“At this stage, the family of missing Laurel Aldridge have been informed and we are seeking to confirm the identity of the woman.”

Crook – who is known for roles in The Office, Pirates Of The Caribbean and Worzel Gummidge – had made public appeals to find his wife’s sister and said her disappearance was “agonising” for the family.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, the actor said he had seen “nothing but determination and stoicism” from the family during the search.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in