The remains of a missing 70-year-old woman have been found by police in a north London churchyard.
Norma Girolami, from Highgate, was last seen in August 2021 and police launched a murder investigation in October.
She had visited Leigh-on-Sea in Essex on 19 August, taking a train from Barking and returning to London later that day. All communication from her stopped that evening.
Police recovered human remains from the churchyard at Friern Barnet Lane on 1 November. They have been formally identified as belonging to Girolami, and her family have been notified.
Det Ch Insp Kate Blackburn said: “Despite accepting that Norma was no longer alive, I know 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.”
The police have urged Girolami’s friends, family, and acquaintances to get in touch, as well as any possible witnesses who visited the churchyard at the time of her death.
“I would still be very keen to hear from anyone who knew Norma, either in London or at Leigh-on-Sea, who can provide information on anything that was happening in her life in August last year. I am also appealing for anyone who saw any activity around the churchyard in Friern Barnet Lane N20 between August and October last year.
“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.”
Anyone with information should call the police on 101 or tweet @MetCC. Anyone who would would prefer not to speak to the police can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
