Five years since Leah Croucher disappeared in Milton Keynes

An inquest into her death was set by police last month

Missing person flyer for Leah Croucher
Author: Zoe Head-ThomasPublished 15th Feb 2024

Today marks five years since teenager Leah Croucher disappeared in Milton Keynes.

The 19-year-old was last captured on CCTV footage on February 15, 2019, while she was walking to work.

In October 2022, over three years after she disappeared, human remains were found by detectives at a a property on Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, less than half a mile from where she was last seen.

The prime suspect in her murder had been named by police as Neil Maxwell, who killed himself in April 2019, two months after Leah vanished.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter, who attended the scene of human remains found in Furtzon, and who investigated the crime, said in 2022: "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.

Thames Valley Police had found Maxwell to be the only person with keys to the house where remains were found near the 19-year-old's possessions, while the owners were away.

Maxwell had been employed by the home owner to carry out some property maintenance at the house.

Last month, Thames Valley Police announced the official date for an inquest into Leah's death, to be held on June 19 and 20 this year.

In a short statement released last month, Leah’s family said: “Today went as expected, and we are happy to have a date for Leah’s inquest."

“There is a lot of information yet to be shared to us and our legal representation."

“We are looking forward to seeing that."

“We have nothing further to say at the moment.”

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