Family of missing midwife thanks the public after body discovered by police

FAMILY of midwife Samantha Eastwood have thanked the public for their support after police found a body.

The body, believed to be that of the missing 28-year-old, was discovered by officers near Caverswall on Saturday, Staffordshire Police said.

A 32-year-old man, who had previously been released on bail, was re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

Two other men, aged 28 and 60, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, the force said.

The three men yesterday remained in custody.

In a statement released by Staffordshire Police, Ms Eastwood’s family said: “The family of Samantha would like to ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time. “We would like to say ‘thank-you’ to all the people who followed Samantha’s story and tried their best to help.” The midwife, inset, was last seen in uniform leaving work at Royal Stoke Hospital at 7.45am eight days earlier on Friday, July 27. The body has now been removed and a postmortem examination was due to take place yesterday. The scene in Caverswall yesterday remained cordoned off while forensic examinations continued. Detective Superintendent SiTHE mon Duffy said the force’s primary focus was ensuring justice for Ms Eastwood and her family.

He said: “I would like to add my thanks to those of the family, to all those who have helped and supported the investigation over the past week and I would ask that the privacy of the family is now respected at this tragic time.”

Ms Eastwood’s sister, Gemma Eastwood, had made a tearful appeal to trace Samantha on Friday, saying: “We miss you very much, we need you home where you belong. If she’s out there, or anyone knows where she is, please get in touch. Get her home.”

Liz Rix, the chief nurse at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, said on Saturday the trust’s “thoughts are with” Ms Eastwood’s family.