Human remains ‘unearthed by wildfires’ at UK beauty spot revealed as mum who vanished six years ago – as man arrested

BONES discovered at a beauty spot have been identified as a mum-of-three who vanished six years ago, with cops launching a murder probe. Joanne Sheen, 44, from Southampton, Hampshire, vanished on her way home in December 2019, sparking a major police investigation to find her. Joanne went missing nearly seven years ago The mum had not been seen since she travelled from Fareham towards her home city of Southampton, on December 5, 2019 Credit: Hampshire Police Police have now arrested a 56-year-old man from Southampton on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. It comes after a wildfire exposed a woman’s bones in West London on August 12, with cops racing to identify them. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The mum had not been seen since she travelled from Fareham towards her home city of Southampton, on December 5, 2019. She was reported missing by her family in February 2020. Five people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder her that year, but were released with no further action. In 2023, cops searched a house in Southampton, and deployed a boat to search the Solent. The scene where bones were found after a wildfire in London Credit: PA Cops have launched a murder probe following the discovery of human remains Credit: PA They raided more homes in the port city last year. Cops launched a fresh probe after her bones were found on Padstow Walk, an area nicknamed The Pits. Most read in The Sun The area is close to Bedfont Lakes Country Park, with cops confirming recent fires in the area had unearthed the remains. Police said home than 10 addresses have been searched and several water searches since Jo disappeared. Anyone with information about her movements in either city in 2019 have been urged to contact cops. A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: “As part of our investigation, we have today arrested a 56-year-old man from Southampton on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He remains in custody at this time as our enquiries continue. Bones were found near Bedfont Lakes Country Park Credit: PA Cops had been called to reports that bones had been discovered in a woodland in Feltham Credit: PA “As our investigation enters this next stage, we are working closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police to establish exactly what happened to Joanne. “Her death is being treated as murder, and we remain committed to identifying and bringing those responsible to justice.” Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock added: “This is a significant development in what has been a long and complex investigation and provides us with several new lines of enquiry, which we are exploring with our dedicated team. “While this tragic discovery is not the outcome Joanne’s family, or any of us, had hoped for, we hope the identification of her remains can at least begin to provide some answers after many years of uncertainty. “Throughout this investigation, Joanne’s family have shown tremendous strength and dignity in the face of unimaginable circumstances, and our thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time. “As our investigation progresses, we remain committed to establishing exactly what happened to Joanne and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. “There may still be people who have information about Joanne’s disappearance, her movements before she went missing, or how she came to be in Feltham. “The passage of time does not lessen the importance of that information. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, we would urge anyone who may know something to come forward. “We understand that coming forward may feel difficult, particularly if you are worried about the consequences, but we are asking you to think about the family who are left without their loved one and who are waiting for answers. Please do the right thing. If you know something, now is the time to come forward. “We are also pleased that Crimestoppers has agreed to reinstate its £20,000 reward offer in support of our investigation. If anyone has information but does not feel comfortable speaking directly to police, I would encourage them to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”