Human remains have been found in the search for a missing woman who was last seen 15 months ago.
Detectives have found remains belonging to 70-year-old Norma Girolami at a churchyard in north London.
It comes just weeks after police offered a £20,000 reward for information that would lead to the discovery.
Girolami went missing in August last year. The Metropolitan Police opened a murder investigation two months later.
A man has been charged with her murder.
Detectives investigating her disappearance found remains during a search at a churchyard in Friern Barnet Lane, the Met said on Friday.
They have been formally identified as belonging to Girolami and her family have been notified.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said: “Despite accepting that Norma was no longer alive, I know that her family are deeply affected by the news that her remains have been found. Our thoughts are very much with them.
“My team has spent more than a year searching for Norma and there is a sense of relief that we have found her remains which will undergo forensic examination in due course.”
She added: “Norma’s family and friends have endured a year of not knowing what had happened to her and our investigation remains ongoing. If you have any information, no matter how small a detail it may seem, please do get in touch.”
Girolami lived in the Highgate area of northwest London. She would often travel to Brent Cross for shopping and was a member of Archway Leisure Centre.
She also liked to visit Leigh-on-Sea. The 70-year-old travelled there on Thursday 19 August last year from Barking and returned to London later that day.
All communication from Girolami stopped that evening, according to the Met.
DCI Blackburn said the force was still keen to hear from anyone who knew Norma, either in London or Leigh-on-Sea, who could “provide information on anything that was happening in her life” in August 2021 despite the new discovery.
She also appealed for anyone who saw activity about the churchyard in Friern Barnet Lane between August and October last year.
Anyone with information has been urged to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC.
Alternatively, they can anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or its website.
