Police searching for missing Katie Kenyon, who disappeared in Lancashire last week, have found what they believe to be her body.
The 33-year-old was last seen alive in Burnley on Friday, April 22, getting into a silver Ford Transit van, which was then driven 17 miles into the Ribble Valley.
Since then police have been desperately searching for her, while her ex-boyfriend Andrew Burfield has been charged with her murder.
Now police have sadly confirmed they have found a body they believe to be hers after receiving new information about where she could be.
Officers from Lancashire Police made the discovery searching an area in the Forest of Bowland last night.
Specially trained officers are supporting her family, and a post-mortem will be carried out to determine a cause of death.
Det Supt Gary Brooks, head of Lancashire’s Force Major Investigation Unit, said: ‘Following extensive police enquiries and after a number of days of searching I can now sadly confirm that we have found a body and at this time we believe it to be that of Katie Kenyon.
‘Katie’s family have been told and my heart goes out to them at this time. We have specially trained officers supporting them at this difficult time.
‘I would like to thank the public and the media for all the help they have given us during what has been a protracted, complex and very emotive search and I would also like to thank both the partner agencies and all of the police officers and staff who have been involved in the search for Katie.
‘While this is not the conclusion to those searches any of us would have wished for I know the family appreciate those efforts.
‘Once again, my thoughts today are with Katie’s family and all of her loved ones.’
Her ex-boyfriend Andrew Burfield appeared in court on yesterday charged with her murder.
The 50-year-old appeared at Preston Crown Court by videolink from HMP Preston, speaking only to confirm his identity.
Burfield, who is from Burnley, entered no pleas and was remanded into custody ahead of a crown court trial in November.
For the last week police have been desperately looking for the mother-of-one, with officers searching the Forest of Bowland and Gisburn Forest.
Police set up forensic tents in multiple areas in an effort to trace her after she disappeared last week.
Typically the structures can be used to protect forensic evidence, but may also be staked out to provide cover for equipment.
More than 60 specialist search officers from four police forces have been scouring land looking for her. The hunt involved police and fire service officers, dog teams, mounted police, mountain rescue volunteers and drones.
Scores of officers have been seen scouring the 3,000-acre Gisburn Forest, some 23 miles from Todmorden Road in Ms Kenyon’s hometown.
Ms Kenyon was seen getting into a silver Ford Transit van which left Burnley towards the Bolton-by-Bowland area at around 9.30am.
On Friday they were seen searching an area of Gisburn Forest, but later directed their attentions back to the Forest of Bowland after receiving information about her location.
A JustGiving page in her memory has so far raised £7,400.
A message from the family read: ‘On Friday April 22, our heartbreaking nightmare began when our Katie was taken away from her children and family far too soon.
‘We as family are putting together this JustGiving page for Katie to have the best send-off that Katie deserves & for Katie’s son and daughter & their future to fulfil Katie’s dreams she had planned with her children.
‘As we know you all want to help, this would be the most appreciated way. Any donations will be truly, gratefully received. Thank you for all your kind words and support. We know you’re all behind us.’