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Police have found human remains when searching a house in Milton Keynes while investigating the disappearance of Leah Croucher. On Wednesday, officers investigating the disappearance of the 19-year-old found items belonging to her at a house in the Furzton area of Milton Keynes.
At 2pm, Thames Valley Police confirmed human remains had also been found at the house.
A spokesman said: “During our forensic examinations at the scene in Loxbeare Drive, we have identified human remains.
“The forensic examination continues and will do for some time. It is likely to take some time to formally identify the deceased.
“Leah’s family continue to be kept informed and updated.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Thames Valley Police cordoned the house at Loxbeare Drive off, with a heavy presence of forensics officers spotted.
A spokesman said a detailed forensic search of the property had uncovered several items.
They said at the time: “During the search we have found items, including a rucksack and personal possessions belonging to Leah Croucher, who was reported missing on 15 February 2019.
“As a result of our findings, Thames Valley Police have now launched a murder investigation.”
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Det Ch Supt Ian Hunter, head of crime for Thames Valley Police, said: “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.”
Det Ch Supt Hunter added: “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.”
Leah was last seen on Valentines Day in 2019, and was reported missing the following day by her family.
She was last seen on CCTV on Buzzacott Lane just after 8am, and the last activity on her phone was just after 8.30am on February 15.
John and Claire Croucher reported the teenager missing that evening, and Thames Valley Police launched a missing person operation.
However, multiple searches of the lake at the Blue Lagoon nature reserve where she had disappeared produced no results.
Officers have visited more than 4,000 homes during the investigation, and employed specialist search teams, drones and helicopters.
Her disappearance was cited at the inquest of her brother Haydon, who took his own life on November 16 2019.
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