Police have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance of a woman 17 years ago and have launched a search of a river. Malgorzata Wnuczek was last seen in Leicester in 2006, then aged 27.
Her family, living in Poland, contacted police when they couldn't get in touch with her. Police at the time pursued more than 2,500 lines of inquiry, reports LeicestershireLive.
The force has now received new information from colleagues in Poland, prompting fresh searches of the River Soar. Specialist officers from East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) are carrying out a search of the river around the area of the Mill Lane bridge.
Detective Inspector Jenni Heggs said: "Malgorzata was 27 when she was last seen. Two days ago it was her 44th birthday.
"Officers both in the UK and in Poland have remained in contact with her family since she was last seen. Following information provided to us by our Polish colleagues, we are carrying out a search of the River Soar in the hope we might find something that can help us to establish Malgorzata’s whereabouts.
Malgorzata Wnuczek was 26 when she disappeared on May 31, 2006. (Image: Leicestershire Police)
"Since the investigation began, more than 2,000 potential witnesses have raised more than 2,500 lines of enquiry, with more than 100 statements taken. But we still do not know where Malgorzata is or what might’ve happened to her.
"However, I firmly believe there are people out there who do. For more than 17 years, her family have lived their lives in darkness and we owe it to them to answer the questions they have.
"I’m making a direct appeal to the people of Leicester – and in particular our Polish community – to come forward if they have any information that could help. You might think what you know is insignificant, but it might just be something that leads us to Malgorzata.
"What have you heard? What do you know? Any details you’re able to provide could be of great importance."
Malgorzata Wnuczek with her daugher, Ola, who was three-year-old when her mum went missing in 2006. (Image: Leicestershire Police)
The last public appeal in a bid to find out what happened to Malgorzata was issued in 2016.
You can pass on information by visiting the force website and quoting incident 362 of 2 June. Alternatively call 101.
