Police searching for teenager Leah Croucher who went missing three and a half years ago on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, launched a murder inquiry.
Officers spent two days searching a house in Milton Keynes where they found items belonging to the 19-year-old. She was last seen at her home in Quantock Crescent, Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes, at 10pm on Valentine’s Day night 2019.
Her parents Claire and John reported her missing the next day. There was a reported sighting of Leah in Buzzacott Lane in Furzton in the city just after 8.15am on the Friday. She was walking in the direction of Loxbeare Drive and Chaffron Way.
Since Monday the police have been searching a 4-bedroom detached property that has been rented out in Loxbeare Drive.
Thames Valley Police said: “Following information received from a member of the public on Monday, October 10, 2022, relating to a property in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes, specialist officers and forensic teams attended the location.
“As a result of an ongoing detailed forensic search of the property, a number of items have been located.
“During the search we have found items, including a rucksack and personal possessions belonging to Leah Croucher, who was reported missing on February 15, 2019.
“As a result of our findings, Thames Valley Police have now launched a murder investigation.
“This is a complex and challenging scene, which we have been at since just after 6.30pm on Monday (October 10). “We will continue to be at the scene for a significant period of time.”
Head of Crime for Thames Valley Police, Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said: “Following a call to police on Monday, we attended an address and located items of concern within the property.
“We are dealing with a very difficult scene but we can now confirm that we have discovered a number of items that are linked to Leah, and as such, we have now launched a murder investigation, led by our Major Crime Unit.
“Leah’s family have been kept updated and continue to be supported by officers, and we are urging the public and media to think of her family and not to speculate further while this investigation is in the early stages.
“We will provide further updates when we are able to do so. “There remains a scene-watch in place at the address while this investigation continues, and we are committed to ensuring that our enquiries at the scene are thorough.
“During our search for Leah, we have committed hundreds of officers and staff to the search for Leah over the last three and a half years, reviewing 1,200 hours of CCTV and conducted more than 4,000 house-to-house inquiries and offered several rewards for information to lead us to Leah.
“The call from the member of the public that we received on Monday was the first occasion that we were alerted to this address, and we thank them for contacting us immediately to report their concerns.
“Our thoughts remain with Leah’s family and friends, and we will continue to offer them all the support that they need.”
Get daily FREE news here:
Sign up to get your own daily update of Bedfordshire News — It’s free.
