Body in forest confirmed as missing mum-of-two
ABODY found in the search for missing Katie Kenyon has been confirmed by police to be the mother-of-two.
Lancashire Constabulary said a post-mortem examination found that head injuries caused her death.
Ms Kenyon, 33, from Padiham, Burnley, was last seen at around 9.30am on Friday April 22, when it is thought she travelled in a silver Ford Transit van which left Burnley towards the Boltonby-Bowland area of Lancashire.
Police said officers discovered a body on Friday night in an area of the Forest of Bowland after receiving new information about where Ms Kenyon could be.
Yesterday afternoon, the force tweeted: “We can now sadly confirm that the body found in the Forest of Bowland is that of Katie Kenyon.
“We found Katie on Friday following extensive searches and she has now been formally identified as the missing Padiham mum, 33.
“A Home Office post-mortem examination was conducted [on Saturday] and the cause of death was given as head injuries.
“Our thoughts remain with Katie’s family and loved ones at this difficult time. The family continues to be supported by our specially trained officers.”
On Saturday, police announced they had found a body – which they yesterday confirmed was that of Ms Keynon – and confirmed they had told the mother-of-two’s family of the discovery.
Speaking on Saturday, Detective Superintendent Gary Brooks, head of Lancashire Police’s major investigation unit, said: “Following extensive police inquiries and after a number of days of searching, I can now sadly confirm that we have found a body and at this time we believe it to be that of Katie Kenyon.
“Katie’s family have been told and my heart goes out to them at this time. We have specially trained officers supporting them at this difficult time.
“I would like to thank the public and the media for all the help they have given us during what has been a protracted, complex and very emotive search, and I would also like to thank both the partner agencies and all of the police officers and staff who have been involved in the search for Katie.
“While this is not the conclusion to those searches any of us would have wished for, I know the family appreciate those efforts.”
On Friday, Andrew Burfield, 50, appeared by video-link from HMP Preston for a brief court hearing charged with the murder of Ms Kenyon.
Burfield, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, spoke only to confirm his identity during the seven-minute hearing at Preston Crown Court.
He was remanded in custody and a trial date was set for November 14.