Joanne Sheen murder suspect rearrested after remains identified as missing mum

Oliver Pritchard-Jones | Freelance news reporter Published September 20, 2026 2:57pm Updated September 20, 2026 2:57pm The mother-of-three’s whereabouts were unknown until the human remains were discovered in August (Picture: Hampshire&IoW Constabulary / SWNS) A man has been rearrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after human remains were identified as Joanne Sheen. The mother-of-three, 44, was last seen alive in December 2019 when she travelled from Fareham to Southampton with a friend. She was reported missing in February 2020, sparking a major police investigation. Despite several arrests at the time, she was not found until almost seven years after her disappearance when a wildfire in shrubland in Feltham uncovered human remains last month. They have since been identified as the missing mum, prompting Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to launch a murder probe. Officers have since arrested two men in connection with her death. The mother’s disappearance was reported by her family around two months after she was last seen alive (Picture: Hampshire police) On Thursday, a 56-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. Today the BBC reported that he had been rearrested on suspicion of the same offence and also arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody. Another man, also 56 and from Southampton, has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson told PA that more than 4,000 lines of enquiry have been raised, more than 300 statements taken, and detailed searches carried out at more than 10 addresses and on numerous vessels. Specialist teams have also searched waterways and woodland around Southampton. Latest London news In a statement released earlier this week, a 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. ‘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.’ Metro has contacted Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary for comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Family of teen killed in car crash says ‘world will never be the same’ Arrow MORE: UberEats driver was ‘showing off’ in car when he killed student, 21, in crash Arrow MORE: The 12 best pumpkin patches in and around London to visit this autumn Breaking News Never miss the biggest stories with breaking news alerts in your inbox.