Ex-love charged with the murder of missing mum
THE former boyfriend of a missing mother-of-five was last night charged with her murder.
Sarah Wellgreen, a 47-year-old beautician, was last seen near her home in New Ash Green, Kent, on October 9.
She was reported missing two days later and her son Lewis Burdett recently told how the family was living in a “never-ending nightmare”.
Her ex-partner Ben Lacomba, 38, was last night in custody.
Officers were yesterday continuing to search a property, believed to be Ms Wellgreen’s home, after receiving fresh information.
It is understood to be the third time the property has been searched since October 11.
The beautician’s family celebrated her birthday in her absence on December 14.
Detectives said her disappearance was “entirely out of character”.
About 2,000 hours of footage is being looked at by police, while 1,300 volunteers have joined in searches.
Officers have scoured woodland near Bluewater shopping centre in Dartford and areas in Greenhithe near the River Thames.
Kent Police said in a statement last night: “Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, with authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, have charged Ben Lacomba, aged 38, from Bazes Shaw, New Ash Green, with the murder of Sarah Wellgreen.
“Mr Lacomba, who was arrested on 16 October in connection with the investigation, was re-arrested on 20 December 2018.
“He has been charged with murder and is remanded to appear by video link before Medway Magistrates’ Court at 10am on Friday 21 December.
“The search ongoing.” for Ms Wellgreen is