The harrowing search for a missing mother of two is now in its sixth day with police and her family asking for information.
Katie Kenyon, 33, has been missing from her home in Padiham, near Burnley, Lancashire, since Friday morning (April 22).
Coroner’s officers have been combing Gisburn Forest near Bolton-by-Bowland, where they believed the mother may have traveled with a man in a silver Ford Transit van.
Investigators revealed Tuesday that they are now working on the basis that Katie is no longer alive.
A man who had been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping over the weekend was taken in for questioning and is now being held on suspicion of murder.
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James Speakman/Mercury Press)
Description of the disappearance of Katie Kenyon
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Lancashire Police/SWNS)
Katie is described as a 5 foot 9 white female with strawberry blonde hair and red hair.
She was last seen wearing a blue shirt/jacket, a white blouse, black leggings, and flip flops.
Police said a woman matching Katie’s description was seen getting into a silver Ford Transit van with a man, outside an address on Todmorden Road, Burnley, at around 9:30am on Friday.
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Police say the van, license plate number MT57 FLC, is believed to have traveled to Gisburn Forest near the Bolton-by-Bowland area.
Man arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murder
A man arrested on suspicion of the kidnapping of missing mother Katie was re-arrested on suspicion of her murder yesterday afternoon.
While Katie has yet to be found and the search continues, detectives are now working on the basis that she is sadly no longer alive.
The investigation has now changed from a missing home to a homicide investigation.
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James Speakman/Mercury Press)
The 50-year-old man arrested for Katie’s murder remains in custody where he is questioned about her disappearance.
Detectives last night made a new application to Burnley Magistrates Court to continue his detention until 9pm tonight.
Heartbreaking statement from Katie’s sister
After the arrest, Katie’s sister, Sarah, shared a desperate plea not to assume she is dead.
Posting on Facebook, he wrote: “Can I and my family ask people to STOP saying rest in peace! They haven’t found a body!
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Facebook)
“He has not been charged with murder! He has been arrested on suspicion of murder! WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR our Katie!”
“She’s out there somewhere and we still need people to come forward with ANY information, big or small!
“This is absolutely heartbreaking for us.”
What the neighbors have said
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James Speakman/Mercury Press)
Katie’s neighbors have said her tires were previously slashed.
Residents who lived near the missing mother’s home said they slashed the tires on their white Ford Fiesta in 2021.
The incident, which has already been reported to Lancashire Police, was not reported at the time.
Paul Clough, 56, one of Katie’s neighbours, told MailOnline: “Somebody slashed her tires a year or so ago.
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James Speakman/Mercury Press)
“I don’t know Katie very well, but she cares about her two children.”
Christine Marshall, 62, said: “Once they slashed the tires on her car. This really isn’t like her, she would never leave her children behind.”
“I think she was working part time, based on what uniform she was wearing, I guess as a caretaker or something.”
What the police have said
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Matthew Lofthouse SWNS)
Superintendent Gary Brooks, chief of major crimes for Lancashire Police, said: “While I have little hope that Katie may still be found alive, I am sad to say that Katie has been missing for over four days.”
“Despite extensive police investigations and media appeals, we have not found Katie nor have there been any sightings of Katie.
“We have spoken with Katie’s family today and they are understandably extremely upset about this latest development and I have officers who continue to offer them support. My thoughts are with them at this time.
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Matthew Lofthouse SWNS)
“I am truly appreciative of all the help that members of the public have given us thus far and would continue to appeal to anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward and speak with us.
“While we have someone arrested, our investigations are ongoing.
“We are continuing to search a number of different locations in relation to this investigation, including in Gisburn Forest and I am grateful to colleagues in Merseyside and North Wales, and other emergency services partners who are providing assistance in these complexes and on a large scale.” searches.
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Matthew Lofthouse SWNS)
“I am aware that many members of the public have offered to assist us in those searches and while I am grateful for that, I would discourage anyone from doing so.
“The area we are looking for is very large and remote with no phone signal. The police crews are trained professionals who are used to doing this type of work and I would hate for someone to get lost or injured while trying to help. Please leave it to us.” .”
The search
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Matthew Lofthouse SWNS)
Search teams now number over 60 trained search officers from Lancashire, North Wales, Merseyside and GMP, with specialist dogs, a plane and other specialist search equipment being used.
Also participating in the hunt are firefighters, mounted police, mountain rescue volunteers and drones.
The Salvation Army has kindly provided a feeding station.
event timeline
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James Speakman/Mercury Press)
Friday, April 22
A woman matching Katie’s description was seen around 9:30 am getting into a Ford Transit van with a man.
The silver van traveled to the Bolton-by-Bowland area.
This was the last time Katie was seen.
Saturday, April 23
Katie’s family reported her missing to the police.
They begin to share appeals on social media.
Sunday, April 24
The police publish an appeal about Katie’s disappearance. They say they have arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of kidnapping.
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James Speakman/Mercury Press)
Monday, April 25
Police confirmed that Katie knew the arrested man.
They have been given 36 more hours to interrogate him.
A massive search operation is underway in the wooded area of Bolton-by-Bowland.
Police ask family and friends to avoid starting their own searches where Katie was last seen to avoid potential evidence being disrupted.
Police also released a photo of the van Katie got into as they ask anyone who recognizes her to come forward.
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Tuesday, April 26
A 50-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping has been rearrested on suspicion of the murder of Katie Kenyon.
Police say that although they have not found her body, they believe she is dead.
Wednesday, April 27
More than 60 officers and rescuers continue their search for Katie.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 citing the 800 log from April 24 or can contact the police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0401020119P01-PO1
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Reference-www.mirror.co.uk