Second Arrest Made in Cold Case of Missing Mother Found After Wildfire
Authorities have arrested a second man in connection with the death of Joanne Sheen, who vanished in 2019 and whose remains were discovered earlier this year.
Police have made a second arrest in connection with the death of Joanne Sheen, a mother of three who disappeared in December 2019. Remains found in Feltham, London, following a wildfire this summer were identified as belonging to the 44-year-old.
A 56-year-old man from Southampton was initially arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder on Thursday, September 17. He has since been bailed with conditions. On Sunday, a second 56-year-old man, also from Southampton, was re-arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and has also been bailed with conditions.
Both men were initially detained on the same day. Authorities launched a murder investigation after bones were discovered by a member of the public near shrubland in Feltham on August 12. The area had been affected by a wildfire, one of many that occurred across the UK during the summer heatwaves.
Scotland Yard initially led the murder investigation but transferred the case to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary after the remains were identified as Ms Sheen's through extensive forensic examination and DNA testing.
Ms Sheen, known as ‘Little Jo’, was last seen on December 5, 2019, when she traveled from Fareham, Hampshire, to Southampton. She was reported missing by her family in February 2020 after not hearing from her for several months. Her daughters, Layla and Hayley, made public appeals in the months following her disappearance, describing the uncertainty as "turmoil."
In November 2020, police revealed they believed Ms Sheen was working as a sex worker in Southampton around the time she went missing. Officers searched areas where she was believed to have worked, as well as nearby waterways and woodland, but were unable to locate her. At that time, five men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, but all were released with no further action due to a lack of evidence by late 2021. The investigation involved over 4,000 lines of inquiry and more than 300 statements.
Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock stated that the arrests represent a significant development in the long and complex investigation. He expressed hope that the identification of Ms Sheen's remains will provide some answers for her family, who have shown "tremendous strength and dignity." The police remain committed to establishing the full circumstances of Ms Sheen's disappearance and holding those responsible accountable. A £20,000 reward for information has been reinstated by Crimestoppers.
The wildfire affecting the area where the remains were found damaged about two hectares of shrubland, according to the London Fire Brigade's incident log. Four fire engines and approximately 25 firefighters tackled the grass fire on August 5.