Update: Walton woman feared dead after police find body

4:30pm Monday 4th June 2007

By Dan Menhinnitt

Detectives searching for a missing Walton woman have discovered a dead body in a Hertfordshire woods this morning.

Although the body, found in Oxhey Woods, has not been formally identified, Surrey Police say they are now treating the disappearance of Kate Helen Claire Beagley of Nelson Close as a murder investigation.

Surrey Police today confirmed they were combing Petersham Meadows on Richmond Hill for clues in connection with the case.

Officers had released an appeal for help in finding the 32-year-old on Friday after she missed several appointments and had turned up for work.

The sales manager then called a friend at 8.20pm saying she was in Chiswick and texted another friend at 8.50pm saying she was in Richmond, where she is believed to have visited the Roebuck pub in Richmond Hill.

Kate's car, a grey VW Golf was last spotted on Chiswick Bridge at around 11.58pm on that day - and it is thought she may have visited the Chiswick, Richmond and Twickenham areas.

Officers, who had been searching for her car, say they found the vehicle, and another they had been looking for - a black BMW - in Harlesden.

Pals had set up a group titled Help Find Kate on social networking site Facebook. The group currently has more than 1,000 members. Friend Camilla Corsan said the support from the site's users had been overwhelming.

Surrey Police Superintendent Jerry Westerman said a 27-year-old man is in custody helping police with their enquiries.

"Kate was reported to Surrey Police as a missing person, and from the start, we have taken this extremely seriously," Supt Westerman said.

"Our priority has been to try to locate her safe and well, but sadly, as a result of our investigation, the body of a woman has been found.

"We have informed the family of Kate Beagley about the discovery of a body, and our thoughts are with Kate's family at this difficult time.

"Two vehicles have been discovered and Surrey Police has devoted more than 50 officers to this investigation to date.

"A postmortem has yet to begin, and until this has taken place, we will be unable to confirm the cause of death.

"There are a number of potential crime scenes being investigated, and Surrey Police is keen to appeal for sightings of Kate and the man she was with.

"We believe Kate and the man may have called at the Roebuck pub during Wednesday evening, and may have crossed the road to the terrace and park area opposite.

"We would welcome any information from members of the public who may have seen any activity out of the ordinary, or who have seen Kate or a man fitting the description, or her grey VW Golf that evening.

"We are also very keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the couple later that evening in or around Oxhey Woods."

Anyone who thinks they may have seen Kate, described as white, 5ft 6in to 5ft 7in, medium build with straight brown collar length on Wednesday evening or her car is urged to contact Surrey Police on 01483 630120.