MISSING MUM’S REMAINS FOUND AFTER WILDFIRE AS SECOND MAN IS ARRESTED ON MURDER SUSPICION

A mother-of-three who disappeared almost seven years ago has been identified after human remains were discovered in woodland following a wildfire — and police have now arrested two men as the murder investigation takes a dramatic new turn.

Joanne Sheen, 44, from Southampton, had not been seen since December 2019. Her family reported her missing in February 2020 after years of uncertainty over what had happened to her.

Her remains were discovered in Feltham, west London, on August 12, 2026, after a member of the public found bones in shrubland that had recently been affected by a fire.

Following extensive forensic examination and DNA testing, police confirmed the remains belonged to Joanne.

WILDFIRE EXPOSED HUMAN REMAINS

The Metropolitan Police were initially called to the area around Padstow Walk in Feltham after the discovery.

The remains were found in shrubland close to Bedfont Lakes Country Park. A wildfire had affected the area shortly beforehand, with the London Fire Brigade responding to a blaze that damaged around two hectares of vegetation.

At first, investigators believed the remains belonged to a woman aged between 25 and 45.

A murder investigation was launched.

DNA testing and forensic examination eventually established the woman’s identity as Joanne Sheen, bringing a devastating end to nearly seven years of uncertainty for her family.

JOANNE DISAPPEARED IN DECEMBER 2019

Joanne was last seen on December 5, 2019, after travelling from Fareham, Hampshire, towards Southampton with a friend.

She was reported missing by her family several months later.

Over the years, detectives carried out an extensive investigation into her disappearance.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said the inquiry generated more than 4,000 lines of investigation, involved more than 300 statements, and included detailed searches of more than 10 addresses and numerous vessels.

Specialist teams also searched waterways and woodland around Southampton.

Despite those efforts, Joanne’s whereabouts remained unknown.

TWO MEN NOW UNDER INVESTIGATION

The identification of Joanne’s remains has led to a major new development.

A 56-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on September 17 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

He was subsequently released on bail with conditions while enquiries continue.

Police later confirmed that another 56-year-old man, also from Southampton, had been re-arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and was additionally arrested on suspicion of murder.

That man has also been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Police have not released the men’s identities.

No one has been charged in connection with Joanne’s death.

POLICE HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING FOR YEARS

The case was already being treated as a murder investigation before Joanne’s remains were identified.

Several people were arrested during earlier stages of the investigation, but no charges were brought.

Police have now taken the investigation forward with a renewed focus on establishing exactly what happened to Joanne and how she came to be in Feltham, more than 50 miles from Southampton.

Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock described the identification of Joanne’s remains as a “significant development” in what has been a long and complex investigation.

He said investigators now have several new lines of enquiry and are continuing to work to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

FAMILY LEFT WITH ANSWERS AFTER YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY

Joanne’s disappearance left her family facing years without knowing whether she was alive or where she might be.

Her brother Ray previously described the past seven years as “horrible” and said the family had spent years searching for her.

Friends have also remembered Joanne as a devoted mother whose three daughters were at the centre of her life.

Police have urged anyone who knows anything about Joanne’s disappearance or how she came to be in Feltham to come forward.

Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information that could help identify those responsible for her death.

For Joanne’s family, the discovery of her remains has finally ended years of painful uncertainty — but investigators are still working to answer the most important question: what happened to her after she disappeared in December 2019?

The murder investigation remains ongoing.