Human remains discovered in woodland in west London after a wildfire have been identified as those of Joanne Sheen, a mother of three who disappeared nearly seven years ago.
Joanne, 44, was last seen on December 5, 2019, when she travelled from Fareham back to her home city of Southampton with a friend. Her family reported her missing on February 22, 2020, after months without contact.
Now, following the identification of her remains, Hampshire Police has launched a renewed murder investigation and arrested a 56-year-old man from Southampton on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He remains in custody while enquiries continue.
Remains discovered after wildfire
The breakthrough came on August 12, when the Metropolitan Police were called after human bones were discovered near Padstow Walk in Feltham, south-west London.
The area, known locally as The Pits, is close to Bedfont Lakes Country Park and had recently been affected by a wildfire. Police said the remains were found by a member of the public after the fire had affected the surrounding land.
The remains were initially believed to belong to a woman aged between 25 and 45. Detectives began a murder investigation while working to establish the woman’s identity.
Forensic work eventually confirmed that the remains belonged to Joanne Sheen, bringing an end to almost seven years of uncertainty over what had happened to her.
The investigation has now been taken over by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, which had been investigating Joanne’s disappearance since she was reported missing.
Joanne disappeared in December 2019
Joanne’s last confirmed sighting came on Thursday, December 5, 2019, when she travelled from Fareham to Southampton with a friend.
She was reported missing by her family on February 22, 2020. Police had previously said it was not unusual for Joanne to go for periods without contacting friends or relatives, but as the months passed, concern for her whereabouts grew.
A public appeal was launched in April 2020, asking anyone who had seen Joanne or had information that could help locate her to come forward.
By November that year, detectives had formally begun treating her disappearance as a murder investigation.
Five people were arrested in 2020
The case had already led to several arrests before Joanne’s remains were found.
In November 2020, five people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Hampshire Police subsequently confirmed that all five had been released, with no further action taken against them in relation to Joanne’s disappearance.
Despite extensive enquiries, searches and appeals, Joanne’s body was not recovered at the time.
Detectives continued to investigate new information over the following years.
In 2023, officers searched a property in Southampton and carried out a search of the Solent using a boat. Further searches of properties in the city were also conducted last year as investigators continued looking for clues.
Police have said that more than 10 addresses have been searched and that a number of water searches have been carried out during the investigation.
Fresh investigation after identification
The discovery of Joanne’s remains has opened new lines of enquiry for detectives.
Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock described the development as significant after what he called a long and complex investigation.
He said the identification could begin to provide answers for Joanne’s family after years of uncertainty, while stressing that officers remain focused on establishing exactly what happened to her.
Detectives are particularly interested in Joanne’s movements in Southampton and the surrounding area during late 2019, as well as any information about her movements in London, particularly around Feltham and Hounslow.
They are also seeking information that could explain how Joanne came to be in Feltham.
Family described Joanne as “lovely” and “loving”
Before her remains were identified, Joanne’s daughters Hayley and Layla had spoken publicly about their mother and the pain of not knowing what had happened to her.
Hayley previously described the experience of having a missing loved one as a constant cycle of uncertainty, saying the family could not know where Joanne was or whether she was safe.
That uncertainty has now been replaced by the devastating confirmation of Joanne’s death.
Police said her family had shown “tremendous strength and dignity” throughout the investigation and expressed their sympathy as the case entered its latest stage.
Police renew appeal for information
Hampshire Police is urging anyone with information about Joanne’s disappearance to come forward, regardless of how insignificant they believe their information may be.
Detectives want to hear from anyone who knew about Joanne’s movements in Southampton in late 2019, anyone who may have information about her movements in London, or anyone who can shed light on how she came to be in Feltham.
A 56-year-old man from Southampton is currently in custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. His arrest is an investigative development and does not establish guilt.
Crimestoppers has also reinstated a reward of up to £20,000 for information provided exclusively to the charity that leads to the arrest of those responsible for Joanne’s murder. The reward is available for three months and is due to expire on December 17, 2026.
Anyone with information can contact Hampshire Police on 101, quoting Operation Blackboard or reference 44200068330. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers.
After nearly seven years, the discovery of Joanne Sheen’s remains has answered one question that her family had been left asking since 2019. Detectives now face the task of establishing how she died, why her remains were found in Feltham and who, if anyone, was responsible for her death.