St Leonards man in court charged with murdering two women
Police are continuing searches to find Alexandra Morgan and Leah Ware
A man from St Leonards has appeared in court charged with the murders of two women from Kent and Sussex.
40-year-old Mark Brown of Squirrel Close, was charged with the murder of Alexandra Morgan, from Sissinghurst in Kent on November 21st last year.
He was further charged with the murder of Leah Ware, from Hastings, on Tuesday (February 1st).
Brown pleaded not guilty to the murder of Alexandra Morgan at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (February 4th). He did not enter a plea in relation to the murder of Leah Ware.
He has been remanded in custody to next appear before Lewes Crown Court on March 25th.
Mother-of-two Alexandra, 34, was last seen at a petrol station in Cranbrook on November 14th 2021.
Concerns were raised for 33-year-old Leah's welfare in November and enquiries established she had not been in contact with friends or family for some time. Brown is charged with murdering Leah on or around May 7 2021. Despite extensive enquiries to date, she has not been found.
The cases, being investigated jointly by Kent Police and Sussex Police, were confirmed as joined during the hearing on February 4 and a trial will be scheduled in due course.
Senior Investigating Officers DCI Neil Kimber of Kent and DCI Andy Wolstenholme from Sussex said:
"Our thoughts are with the families of both Alexandra and Leah at this difficult time.
"Whilst we have located the remains of Alexandra we have yet to find Leah and our investigations remain ongoing. We are appealing for anyone with information regarding either Leah or Alexandra to contact us urgently.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police or Sussex Police online or by visiting the Kent Major Incident Public Portal in relation to Alexandra Morgan. Alternatively call 101 quoting Operation Gallery for Kent or Operation Acresdown in Sussex.
"We understand the impact that this may have in our communities. We encourage anyone with concerns to get in touch with us.”