Police searching for Katie Kenyon’s missing mother believe she is “no longer alive” and have arrested a man on suspicion of murder.
The 50-year-old man, who was originally arrested for kidnapping, has now been arrested on suspicion of killing the 33-year-old man and remains in custody.
Detectives will ask magistrates for more time to question the suspect, who is said to be known to Ms. Kenyon.
The missing woman has not been seen by her family since last Friday morning when she was spotted boarding a van in Burnley, Lancashire.
Ms. Kenyon’s family is “extremely upset” by the latest news and is backed by experts, Lancashire police said.
A statement from the organization on Tuesday night said: “A man arrested on suspicion of kidnapping the missing mother Katie Kenyon was arrested this afternoon on suspicion of her murder.
“While Katie has not yet been found and her search continues, detectives are now working on the basis that she is unfortunately no longer alive.
Police focus on Bolton by Bowland forest area in search of missing Katie Kenyon
(Lancashire Telegraph / SWNS)
More than 60 search engines from four police forces, along with search dogs and a plane, searched the dense Gisborne Forest in the Ribble Valley in search of the missing 33-year-old.
Police have previously released a photo of the silver Transit van and continue to appeal to anyone who has seen the vehicle or has a dash record to come forward.
Detective Gary Brooks, head of the Lancashire Police Department for Serious Crimes, said: “While I have little hope that Katie can still be found alive, I am sorry to say that Katie has been missing for more than four days.
“Despite extensive police investigations and media calls, we have not found Katie, nor have there been any observations of Katie.
“Today we spoke with Katie’s family and they are understandably extremely upset by this latest development and I have staff who continue to offer them support. At the moment, my thoughts are with them. “
Det Supt Brooks added: “We continue to look for a number of different locations in connection with this investigation, including Gisborne Forest, and I am grateful to colleagues from Merseyside and North Wales and other emergency partners who are offering help in this complex and large-scale searches. “
Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting Diary 800 of 24 April, or you can contact them through the public portal for major incidents at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/ 0401020119P01-PO1.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Add Comment