The prime suspect within the homicide of Leah Croucher, who disappeared in February 2019, has been named because the convicted intercourse offender Neil Maxwell, who killed himself in April that yr.
Thames Valley police launched a homicide investigation after discovering human stays at an tackle in Milton Keynes on Wednesday. They made the invention at a property lower than a mile from Croucher’s residence after receiving a tipoff from a member of the general public.
Police stated Maxwell was the one particular person with keys to the home the place stays had been discovered close to the 19-year-old’s possessions in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes, whereas the homeowners had been away.
He had been employed by the house owner to hold out some upkeep on the property.
Maxwell had earlier convictions for sexual offences towards ladies and was needed in reference to a sexual assault in Newport Pagnell in November 2018, the power stated. He was discovered useless on 20 April 2019.
DCS Ian Hunter stated in a press release: “I can’t even start to think about what it’s like for Leah’s dad and mom and household, for 3 years and eight months not realizing what has occurred to their daughter and beloved one. All the investigation group who’re engaged on this case are devoted to discovering the reality for Leah’s household.”
Croucher vanished whereas strolling to work at a finance firm and was final seen on CCTV simply after 8.15am on 15 February 2019 a brief distance from the place she was discovered.
On Friday morning her dad and mom visited the property the place her stays had been discovered and left flowers together with a handwritten notice saying “our darkest fears have come true”.
“We now have so missed you for therefore lengthy already,” the notice learn. “The long run appears to be like so bleak now we all know we’ll by no means see your smile or hear your laughter once more. We are going to cherish your reminiscences for ever.”
Hunter stated Croucher’s household had thanked the power for its efforts to search out the 19-year-old prior to now three years and eight months. In a press release learn on their behalf, the household stated: “We want to take this chance to thank Thames Valley police for all their efforts over the previous three years and eight months.
“We consider that they may not have carried out something otherwise, they’ve all the time approached each dialog with dignity and compassion.
“As a household, we ask that everybody respects our privateness in addition to our quick household, at what is likely one of the most troublesome occasions of our lives.”
Tons of of officers and employees have been concerned within the investigation into Croucher’s disappearance, scouring 1,200 hours of CCTV and finishing up 4,000 house-to-house inquiries. The search has concerned specialist search groups, the mounted police, canines, the marine unit and the nationwide police air service.