Second murder arrest after remains of missing woman found following wildfire

Police investigating the death of a woman whose remains were found following a wildfire have arrested a second man on suspicion of murder.

Mother-of-three Joanne Sheen had not been seen since she travelled from Fareham, Hampshire, heading to her home city of Southampton, in December 2019.

The Metropolitan Police were called on 12 August this year after bones, believed to belong to a woman aged 25 to 45, were found near Padstow Walk in Feltham, southwest London, after the area was affected by a blaze.

Detectives had launched a murder inquiry, but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has taken over the investigation after the remains were identified as those of Ms Sheen.

A 56-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and has been bailed with conditions, pending further enquiries.

Police have now confirmed a second 56-year-old man from Southampton was re-arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and was further arrested on suspicion of murder. He has been bailed with conditions, pending further enquiries.

Both men were detained on Thursday 17 September.

Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock said the identification of Ms Sheen's remains was a "significant development" in a "long and complex investigation".

More than 4,000 lines of inquiry have been raised and over 300 statements taken, with detailed searches carried out at more than 10 addresses and on numerous vessels, police say.

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A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the remains were found by a member of the public after the nearby land was affected by a recent wildfire.

The site is close to Bedfont Lakes Country Park.

Shrubbery appeared to have been burned in a woodland area close to where the police crime scene was in place last month, and a large patch of the ground was charred.

An incident log on The London Fire Brigade's website showed four fire engines and about 25 firefighters had tackled a grass fire in the area on August 5.

About two hectares of shrubland were damaged in the blaze.

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