Police searching for a missing 54-year-old woman have found a body near a beach in Kent.
A man from Margate in his 20s remained in custody on suspicion of murder, Kent police said on Saturday.
Claire Knights was last seen in Upstreet near Canterbury on Wednesday. It is believed she was walking her dog in the village to Minnis Bay in Birchington, where she was reportedly seen that afternoon.
Her dog was found on its own in Minnis Bay by officers on Wednesday. Her car, a silver Suzuki, was found parked in the village of Saint Nicholas-at-Wade, where she is believed to have walked from.
Police found the body in a location near Minnis Bay at 7pm on Friday after being alerted by a member of the public. Formal identification has not yet taken place, but police have informed Knights’ family.
A Kent police spokesperson said the death was being treated as suspicious. He said: “Officers have attended a location near Minnis Bay, Birchington, where a woman was found deceased. Kent police was alerted by a member of the public shortly after 7pm on Friday 25 August and patrols are currently at the scene.
“Formal identification has not yet taken place, however, the family of a 54-year-old woman reported missing from Upstreet on Wednesday 23 August are aware. The death is being treated as suspicious and on 24 August a man in his 20s from Margate was arrested on suspicion of murder.”
There would be an increased police presence in the area while investigations into the circumstances took place, the force added.
DCI Kath Way had previously said it was “entirely out of character” for Knights not to be in contact with her family. Her son had made a Facebook post pleading for help to trace her.
Anyone with information should call 999, quoting reference number 23-1922. For any other information that may assist the investigation call 01843 222289, quoting the same reference number.
People can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by using the anonymous online form on its website.
