Human remains discovered in woodland in south-west London after a wildfire have been identified as those of a Southampton mother-of-three who disappeared almost seven years ago, police have said.
Joanne Sheen, 44, was last seen on December 5 2019 after travelling from Fareham in Hampshire towards her home city of Southampton. Her family reported her missing in February 2020.
The Metropolitan Police were called on the evening of August 12 after a member of the public found bones near Padstow Walk in Feltham, an area affected by a wildfire. The remains were initially believed to belong to a woman aged between 25 and 45.
Detectives initially opened a murder investigation, but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has now taken over the case following forensic examination and DNA testing that confirmed the identity of the remains.
A 56-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on September 17 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and remained in police custody as enquiries continued.
Police said the investigation has generated more than 4,000 lines of enquiry and involved more than 300 witness statements. Officers have conducted detailed searches at more than 10 addresses and on numerous vessels, while specialist teams have searched waterways and woodland around Southampton.
“As part of our investigation, we have today arrested a 56-year-old man from Southampton on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He remains in custody at this time as our enquiries continue,” a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson told the PA news agency.
“As our investigation enters this next stage, we are working closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police to establish exactly what happened to Joanne.
“Her death is being treated as murder, and we remain committed to identifying and bringing those responsible to justice.”
The identification represents a significant development in a case that has remained unresolved since Ms Sheen disappeared in 2019.
Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock said the discovery would provide at least some answers for her family, while acknowledging the circumstances surrounding her death.
“While this tragic discovery is not the outcome Joanne’s family, or any of us, had hoped for, we hope the identification of her remains can at least begin to provide some answers.”
He praised the family’s “tremendous strength and dignity” and appealed to anyone with information about Ms Sheen’s disappearance or movements to contact investigators.
“Please do the right thing. If you know something, now is the time to come forward,” he said.
Crimestoppers has reinstated a £20,000 reward for information provided anonymously.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the remains were found by a member of the public after the wildfire affected nearby land. The discovery site is close to Bedfont Lakes Country Park.
Investigators are continuing to work with the Metropolitan Police to establish the circumstances of Ms Sheen’s death and identify those responsible.
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