Human remains have been found by detectives searching for missing Leah Croucher, who vanished while walking to work in 2019.
A massive three-and-a-half year search for Miss Croucher, who was 19 when she went missing, is focusing on a house less than half a mile from where she was last seen.
Investigators have put up a forensic tent in front of the property in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes, next to a white pick-up truck parked in the driveway.
Thames Valley Police said they had found human remains at the property on Wednesday, and that investigators would be there “for some time”.
They began searching the house after a tip-off from a member of the public on Monday, and launched a murder inquiry when they found a rucksack and other personal belongings of Ms Croucher’s.
The force said in a statement: “During our forensic examinations at the scene in Loxbeare Drive, Milton Keynes, 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.
“We ask the media to respect their privacy at this very difficult time.”
Ms Croucher, 19, was last seen on CCTV in Buzzacott Lane, Furzton, just after 8.15am on February 15 2019 walking in the direction of Loxbeare Drive and Chaffron Way.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said: “Following a call to police on Monday, we attended an address and located items of concern within the property.
“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.
“We will provide further updates when we are able to do so.
“There remains a scene watch in place at the address while this investigation continues, and we are committed to ensuring that our inquiries at the scene are thorough.”
He said hundreds of officers and staff have worked on the search for Ms Croucher in the past three-and-a-half years, scouring 1,200 hours of CCTV and carrying out 4,000 house-to-house inquiries.
The search for her has involved specialist police search teams, the mounted section, police dogs, the marine unit and the National Police Air Service.
The scene at the house is “difficult and challenging” and “thorough and respectful” searches may take some time, Mr Hunter said.
He added: “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.
“Our thoughts remain with Leah’s family and friends, and we will continue to offer them all the support that they need.”
Mr Hunter urged members of the public in the Loxbeare Drive area on the day Miss Croucher disappeared and those with relevant information to come forward.
“I appreciate the passage of time that has passed but we remain hopeful that somebody may have a crucial piece of information, particularly given this significant development today,” he said.
“It may be that you have CCTV in the area. If you have any footage from around the time of Leah’s disappearance, please check this and contact us on 101 or online, quoting reference number 43190049929.
“No matter how insignificant you believe any information you may have will be, please contact us. Your information could prove critical in this investigation.”
Miss Croucher was described by loved ones as “very quiet” and “not really an outgoing type of person”, preferring to read fantasy fiction or watch DVDs in her room to nights out at the pub.
She had competed internationally in taekwondo but her father said she was “not a fighter”.
Her family was struck by further tragedy when Ms Croucher’s brother, Haydon Croucher, died at the age of 24 in November 2019.
His mother said he had found the disappearance of his sister “very difficult”.
