Items found during Hockley Woods search over disappearance of Patricia Finnie
Work to see if they are linked to her disappearance are ongoing
Investigators looking into the disappearance of Patricia Finnie have concluded their searches of Hockley Woods.
Searches began last week when specialist detectives reviewed the circumstances around the 64-year-old going missing in 2017.
The Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate confirmed they are now treating her disappearance as a homicide.
Patricia went missing from Southend on 11 May 2017. She was last seen at around midday in the Bellevue area having gone to visit a friend at an address in Riveria Drive earlier in the day.
Specialist officers began the woodland search last Tuesday after a man in his 70s was arrested on suspicion of Patricia's murder. He is on bail until September 10.
Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, Head of Major Crime, said:
“We have now completed search activity at Hockley Woods and it is completely open for the public again.
“This was painstaking work and we recovered a number of items and work remains ongoing to ascertain if they are linked to Patricia’s disappearance.
“Our investigation into what happened to Patricia is continuing and I still need anyone who has information to contact us.”
A special online portal for reporting any information has been set up by Essex Police, which can be accessed here.