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Leah Croucher: Police make specific appeal for information Leah Croucher: Forensics in teen murder case could take weeks
(about 2 hours later)
Leah Croucher, 19, was last seen on CCTV on 15 February 2019 in Milton KeynesLeah Croucher, 19, was last seen on CCTV on 15 February 2019 in Milton Keynes
Police investigating the murder of 19-year-old Leah Croucher have made a "specific" appeal for information about the area where human remains were found. Police investigating the murder of teenager Leah Croucher said forensic examinations at a house where human remains were found could take weeks.
They were discovered at a house on Loxbeare Drive in Furzton, Milton Keynes, Thames Valley Police said. On Wednesday, police said unidentified remains and a rucksack and personal items belonging to the 19-year-old had been found at a Milton Keynes property.
It launched a murder investigation after her rucksack and personal items were found at the property. A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Friday but may "take some time", Thames Valley Police said.
The teenager was last seen on CCTV in the city on Friday, 15 February, 2019. Miss Croucher's family were being kept updated, the force added.
Formal identification has not taken place but Ms Croucher's family were being kept informed, the force said. The teenager was last seen on CCTV in the city on Friday, 15 February 2019.
Police said on Wednesday that officers had been at the property since 18:30 BST on Monday after they received information from a member of the public. Police began searching a home on Loxbeare Drive in Furzton on Monday evening, following a tip-off phone call from a member of the public.
The force said that the telephone tip-off on Monday was the first time it had been alerted to this address. It was there they discovered a number of Miss Croucher's items, along with human remains.
Police remain outside a house on Loxbeare Drive Forensic examinations at the scene may last "several weeks", the force said, and as a result there would continue to be a police presence both at the house and in the area.
Det Ch Supt Ian Hunter said: "Throughout the course of the last three and a half years, we have made numerous appeals for information and we are grateful to those who have been able to assist. It would also "take some time" to formally identify the remains, police said.
"But I am now making a renewed, and specific appeal, to anybody who believes that they may have been in the area of Loxbeare Drive on or around 15 February 2019 and has any information which may be relevant to please get in touch. A black screen has been placed outside the front of the house being searched in Milton Keynes
"I appreciate the passage of time that has passed, but we remain hopeful that somebody may have a crucial piece of information particularly given this significant development today." Det Ch Supt Ian Hunter asked people to remain respectful of Miss Croucher's family and thanked the local community for their "support and patience" as the investigation continued.
He particularly called for anyone who might have CCTV footage from around the time of Ms Croucher's disappearance to come forward. "We are absolutely committed to finding out what has happened to Leah," he said.
"No matter how insignificant you believe any information you may have will be, please contact us. Your information could prove critical in this investigation," he said. "As a community, who have been so supportive since Leah's disappearance, I know you want to help as well, and I thank the many people who have got in touch during the course of our investigations."
He added that the force was committed to ensuring that their inquiries were "thorough and respectful" and as a result they could be at the scene "for some time". He also made a "renewed and specific appeal" to anyone who may have been in the area of Loxbeare Drive on or around the day Miss Croucher went missing.
"Our thoughts remain with Leah's family and friends at what is naturally a very distressing time for them," he said. He said even with the passage of time "we remain hopeful that somebody may have a crucial piece of information".
Mr Hunter particularly called for anyone who might have CCTV footage from around the time of the disappearance to come forward.
"No matter how insignificant you believe any information you may have will be, please contact us," he said.
Human remains found in missing teen murder probe
The quiet teenager who vanished on her way to work
Flowers have been left near to where the search is taking placeFlowers have been left near to where the search is taking place
At the scene: Jo Black, BBC NewsAt the scene: Jo Black, BBC News
Police are now beginning their fourth day of searching this property. Today, like yesterday, some of the police officers entering the house are wearing forensic suits. Police are now on their fourth day of searching this property. Today, like yesterday, some of the police officers entering the house are wearing forensic suits.
A police tent and screen is still in the front garden and last night banging could be heard coming from the four-bedroom detached house.A police tent and screen is still in the front garden and last night banging could be heard coming from the four-bedroom detached house.
Although police have stressed it will take time to formally identify the human remains they've uncovered, members of the community have started to place flowers, candles and soft toys next to the police tape marking the cordon.Although police have stressed it will take time to formally identify the human remains they've uncovered, members of the community have started to place flowers, candles and soft toys next to the police tape marking the cordon.
The property is less than half a mile (0.8km) from where she was last seen in Buzzacott Lane, Furzton, walking in the direction of Loxbeare Drive and Chaffron Way. Forensics officers continue to work at the house where human remains and belongings of Leah Croucher were found
Since Ms Croucher's disappearance on her way to work at a finance company three years ago, police have carried out more than 4,000 house-to-house inquiries and reviewed 1,200 hours of CCTV footage. The property is less than half-a-mile (0.8km) from where Miss Croucher was last seen in Buzzacott Lane, Furzton, walking in the direction of Loxbeare Drive and Chaffron Way.
Since Miss Croucher's disappearance on her way to work at a finance company three years ago, police have carried out more than 4,000 house-to-house inquiries and reviewed 1,200 hours of CCTV footage.
Thames Valley Police said detectives were likely to be at the scene "for some time"Thames Valley Police said detectives were likely to be at the scene "for some time"
There was still a police cordon in place on Thursday Tara Maher, 51, who lives nearby, said she saw the teenager most days, including on the day she went missing, just after 08:00 GMT.
Tara Maher, who lives nearby, said she saw Leah on the day she went missing, just after 08:00 GMT. "It was no different that day - the 15th. We didn't say hello, it was more of an acknowledgment, just a nod."
She said she saw the teenager most days and they would exchange a nod or say "hello". Tara Maher says she used to see Leah Croucher most days as she walked to work
Human remains found in missing teen murder probe She gave a statement to police at the time she disappeared and helped with the community effort to find her, because she "did not want her to be forgotten".
The quiet teenager who vanished on her way to work "This has come as such a shock. It's a nice area. It hits home when it is on your doorstep."
Tara, who works at a local shop, said customers were usually jovial, but when the news came through yesterday "the whole mood changed". Ms Maher, who works at a local shop, said customers were usually jovial, but when the news came through yesterday "the whole mood changed", becoming "very sombre".
"It's usually a very lively, chatty shop and it just went very, very sombre," she said.
"People are fearing the worst."
About 30 bunches of flowers were left at the scene on Thursday morning, some with messagesAbout 30 bunches of flowers were left at the scene on Thursday morning, some with messages
Loxbeare Drive runs south from the western tip of Furzton Lake in the south-west of the Buckinghamshire cityLoxbeare Drive runs south from the western tip of Furzton Lake in the south-west of the Buckinghamshire city
Following the update on the investigation, Iain Stewart, Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, said it was "extremely upsetting to learn of the developments" in the case. Iain Stewart, Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, said it was "extremely upsetting to learn of the developments" in the case.
"I am in contact with Thames Valley Police about the situation, and will help them in any way I can," he said. He said he was in contact with police about the situation.
"My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Leah's loved ones at this difficult time." "My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Leah's loved ones at this difficult time," he said.
A police tent has been erected outside a house on Loxbeare DriveA police tent has been erected outside a house on Loxbeare Drive
Forensics officers have been seen taking specialist equipment into the houseForensics officers have been seen taking specialist equipment into the house
Leah Croucher: A timelineLeah Croucher: A timeline
CCTV footage showed the last confirmed sighting of Leah Croucher walking to work on the day she disappearedCCTV footage showed the last confirmed sighting of Leah Croucher walking to work on the day she disappeared
14 February 2019: Leah Croucher is last seen by her parents at the family home in Quantock Crescent, Milton Keynes at 22:00 GMT14 February 2019: Leah Croucher is last seen by her parents at the family home in Quantock Crescent, Milton Keynes at 22:00 GMT
15 February 2019: CCTV footage showed her walking down Buzzacott Lane in Furzton at 08:16. She was thought to be going to her job at a finance company, but she never arrived15 February 2019: CCTV footage showed her walking down Buzzacott Lane in Furzton at 08:16. She was thought to be going to her job at a finance company, but she never arrived
April 2019: Thames Valley Police said three people had reported possible sightings of Leah near Furzton Lake between 09:30 and 11:15, on the day she went missingApril 2019: Thames Valley Police said three people had reported possible sightings of Leah near Furzton Lake between 09:30 and 11:15, on the day she went missing
October 2019: A two-week search by Thames Valley Police of a lake and surrounding area at the Blue Lagoon nature reserve in Bletchley finds nothingOctober 2019: A two-week search by Thames Valley Police of a lake and surrounding area at the Blue Lagoon nature reserve in Bletchley finds nothing
February 2021: On the second anniversary of her disappearance, police said there had been "no significant leads" and the case was "bewildering and frustrating"February 2021: On the second anniversary of her disappearance, police said there had been "no significant leads" and the case was "bewildering and frustrating"
October 2022: Police open a murder investigation after unidentified human remains and a rucksack and personal possessions belonging to Leah are found at a property on Loxbeare Drive in FurztonOctober 2022: Police open a murder investigation after unidentified human remains and a rucksack and personal possessions belonging to Leah are found at a property on Loxbeare Drive in Furzton
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