Leah Croucher: New image 3 years into search for missing Milton Keynes teen
Leah was last seen on 15th February 2019, when she was 19
Three years from the disappearance of Leah Croucher in Milton Keynes, Thames Valley Police has published a new photo in their search.
Leah, who was 19 years old at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing from Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes on Friday 15 February 2019, by her family. They last saw her at 10pm the day before, 14 February, St Valentine’s Day.
The last confirmed sighting of Leah was at 8.16am on CCTV in Buzzacott Lane, Furzton, on the morning of 15 February, and the last activity on her phone was just after 8.30am that day.
On this, the third anniversary since her disappearance, the force says it would like to renew the appeal to find Leah, both to the residents of Milton Keynes and further across the country.
Thames Valley Police is also releasing an image from Furzton Lake, which shows a figure of a person dressed in black, who may, or may not have been Leah, on the day she disappeared.
This image also shows a number of members of the public, who officers would like to speak to, as they might be able to help the investigation.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Howard, said: “The image we are releasing today is not of a high quality, but I am hoping that somebody will recognise themselves as being in this picture.
“I am keen to hear from the group of people in this image; it may be that you regularly walk in this area and will recognise yourselves.
“I would also like to hear from the person in the image walking her dog.
“If you have not already got in touch with the police, I would urge you to do so, as you may have a vital piece of information that would be key to this investigation.
DCI Howard continued: “I am particularly keen to identify the person seen in the image who is dressed in black.
“This photograph was taken at 10.51am on the morning of 15 February 2019. It is not possible from the image to say whether or not the person dressed in black is Leah but we have witnesses in the area of the lake at around this time who describe seeing a young female in black clothing who is described as appearing distracted or upset, and possibly using her phone.
“Despite previous appeals we have so far been unable to establish the identity of this female and so if you believe this was you or you know who it is, please contact the police.
“Were you in the area of Furzton Lake between 10.45am and 11.30am on that morning?
“I know this was three years ago, but this image was taken the day after Valentine’s Day, and just prior to the school half-term break, and so it may be that you remember being in the area, or you walk in this area regularly.
“I am also aware of another image that has been circulated in the media and community groups suggesting a person being sighted in a barn at a property in Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire. We are also aware of other speculation on social media of Leah being linked to this property.
“We were passed this photograph which we investigated using specialist CCTV viewers who reviewed and analysed the image thoroughly.
“We also thoroughly investigated the location in question, and we can categorically rule out that this is Leah in the image. A detailed investigation of the property and the barn has provided no evidence of Leah being linked to or having been at that location.”
Anyone who has information that could lead to the force locating Leah Croucher, is asked to contact 101 quoting reference number 43190049929, or Operation Dawlish.
Information can be left via Thames Valley Police's dedicated website for this investigation, which is https://mipp.police.uk/operation/43H218A55-PO1/.
DCI Howard added: “The response from the public since Leah went missing has been excellent and I know that Leah’s case remains very much at the forefront of the minds of the residents of Milton Keynes.
"Members of the local community have generously offered a £20,000 reward for information that leads to Leah being found, and that reward is still available.”