Inquest to be held for woman who vanished – despite lack of a body
A CORONER’S inquest is to be held into the death of a woman who vanished four years ago – despite a body never being found.
Lisa Bennett, 39, has been missing since May 9, 2013, when she was last seen leaving a Selly Oak pharmacy. She was reported missing by her mother Janet two weeks later.
Despite extensive police searches and statements from Miss Bennett’s family and friends, no trace of her has ever been found.
Two years ago police admitted they feared Miss Bennett was no longer alive and had met her death shortly after she disappeared. Detective Inspector Warren Hines said at that time: “Detailed investigation shows that she has not accessed any of her accounts or claimed any benefits since May 2013 and we strongly suspect she may have been a victim of crime. “While we will never give up hope or stop trying to find the person responsible for Lisa’s murder, there does become a point in every investigation that we have to accept that we might not get the outcome we want.” Miss Bennett’s mother Janet said: “In our heart of hearts we know that she is no longer with us. I now just want to find her so we can bring her home. It is the not knowing that is the most difficult thing to deal with.”
In February 2014, a man was arrested on suspicion of murdering Miss Bennett.
The unnamed 34-year-old from Birmingham was taken in for questioning but later released on bail.
In June 2014, forensic teams scoured a flat in Abdon Avenue, Selly Oak, where it was believed Miss Bennett stayed before her disappearance.
The inquest will be held on July 27. The listing gives the date of Miss Bennett’s death as the day she went missing.
A police spokeswoman said: “To date we have found nothing to suggest that Lisa planned to leave or even that she is still alive.”