Neighbours reveal shock of tragic end to search for Linda
NEIGHBOURS of a missing woman whose body was found next to a road have spoken of the “worrying” search of her home by forensic scenes of crime officers.
The search, at the Loughborough home of Linda Chambers, was carried out after the 43-year-old was reported missing by a “concerned friend” in September - six months after the last known image of her was captured on CCTV.
Few living in the quiet estate of detached and semi-detached houses, in Cabin Leas, off Belton Road, knew missing Linda, but all were shocked by her disappearance and the subsequent tragic disovery.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “We’ve been shocked by what has happened.
“There were forensics officers in white suits and masks and police vehicles outside the house in September.
“It’s not nice seeing that, worrying what’s been going on. It’s quite a quiet estate.
“That’s why we were worried when we saw the police vehicles, they were there for a good few days and one police car was there for about a week.
“We asked the forensics officers what was happening and they just told us there was nothing to worry about.
“We didn’t know the lady. We tend to know other people who have kids at school. There are a lot of kids around here and you get to know the parents.”
Michael Amodio, 42, did not know Linda, but said: “It’s sad when something like this happens, especially so close to home.
“These days you don’t get to know people around you so well, unless it’s through other parents of kids at school or dog walkers.”
He added: “It has shocked me very much to think this has happened. It’s very sad.
“There were a few police cars here but the police didn’t tell anybody what they were doing. A neighbour told me it was something to do with the lady who was missing.”
Another neighbour said: “It’s a bit unnerving when you don’t know whether to suspect foul play.
“I never knew the lady personally but I am sorry about what has happened”.
Posters appealing for help about Linda’s disappearance were put up in the nearby Boat Inn, next to the canal, in Meadow Lane.
The pub’s general manager, Gareth Jones, said: “We were approached by police to put posters up of the missing woman.
“Some of the customers remembered her having come into the pub, although I didn’t recognise her.
“Police divers were outside the pub searching the canal in November and then a bit further down, they were here on about four occasions in all.”
He added: “We get a lot of passing trade and we spoke to boaters we knew in case they had seen her. Everyone hoped she would turn up safe, so it’s very sad about the outcome.”
Police search timeline Linda, a petite 5ft 3ins, who had shoulderlength brown hair and wore glasses, had last been seen shopping in the town centre on April 13, when she was caught on CCTV.
At the start of the search for her in September, after she had been reported missing, police expressed concerns for her health, as she did not have her medication with her.
There followed searches of the Grand Union Canal, near Linda’s home, first by specialist dogs, then by police divers.
Linda, who lived alone, had seemingly disappeared off the face of the Earth.
A week after she was reported missing, police appealed for help to trace a canal boat owner called Garth, whom they believed she knew.
Leicestershire Police today revealed he was eventually found, but said he had not seen her “for about a year”.
The force’s tactical support team also searched a nearby industrial estate.
In November and December, police divers searched the canal in the town.
On December 17, a body was found in a wood alongside Markfield Lane in the remote hamlet of Botcheston, more than 12 miles from bus user Linda’s home.
A post mortem examination of the body, which police said had been there for “some time”, revealed there were no suspicious circumstances.
Police revealed the remains were those of Linda.
No date has yet been set for the opening of the inquest into Linda’s death by the Rutland and North Leicestershire Coroner’s office.
Leicestershire Police said it was completing its report for the coroner.