Bones found in Feltham shrubland identified as missing mother Joanne Sheen

Human remains found in shrubland in Feltham last month are those of Joanne Sheen, a mother of three missing since 2019. A 56-year-old man who was first held in 2020 has been arrested for a second time, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, and now also on suspicion of murder. He has been released on conditional bail.

Remains found near Bedfont Lakes Country Park

The Metropolitan Police was called to Padstow Walk, Feltham, on 12 August, after a member of the public came across bones on a site beside Bedfont Lakes Country Park. The ground there had burnt the week before. London Fire Brigade crews tackled a blaze at Bedfont Pits on 5 August, which damaged around two hectares of shrubland.

Ms Sheen was 44 when she was last seen on 5 December 2019, travelling from Fareham to Southampton with a friend. Her family reported her missing in February 2020, two months later.

The search since 2019

The man held again is from Southampton. A second man, also 56 and from the same city, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and has since been released on bail. Several people were held on that suspicion back in 2020. Nobody was charged and the case stayed open.

Her disappearance led to a major investigation. The force said it produced more than 4,000 lines of inquiry and over 300 statements, with searches of more than 10 addresses and of numerous water vessels. Officers have said she was of no fixed abode, owned no vehicle and held no bank account.

With the remains now identified, detectives in London have passed the case to Hampshire Police.