A detective has pledged to never give up searching for the body of a murdered mother-of-five. Susan Waring, 45, from Darwen, near Bolton, was last seen on January 29 2019, with her boyfriend Alan Edwards, who was later jailed for life for her murder.
Desribed in court as a 'violent and controlling' bully Edwards was jailed for a minimum of 27 years. He pretended he last saw Susan when he claimed she kissed him goodbye and walked out of his flat in Darwen, on January 30, 2019.
But a murder trial at Preston Crown Court heard Edwards killed the 45-year-old, disposed of her body and then attempted to cover his tracks. After Edwards was arrested in March 2019, a forensic examination of his flat in Blackburn Road, Darwen, found blood in various locations and on items throughout the premises.
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More than 100 blood spots and traces of Ms Waring’s DNA were discovered on a rubber Halloween skull mask worn by the defendant, who struck her at close proximity.
Ms Waring’s mother reported her missing but, despite extensive police inquiries, her whereabouts are unknown and there is no evidence to say she is alive, Preston Crown Court was told.
In 2021 Mr Justice James Goss jailed Edwards for life after he was found guilty of murder and told him he must serve a minimum term of 27 years. Edwards was also convicted of offences against four other women, including causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and making threats to kill.
Det Ch Insp Lukmaan Mulla said Ms Waring, who had learning difficulties, was subjected to "horrific abuse" during their two-month relationship. He appealed for the public's help to locate her body.
Ms Waring, who was "blind in one eye, suffered from poor health and had learning difficulties". The trial heard Ms Waring had been attacked by Edwards several times
Edwards was seen punching Ms Waring in the face on January 15 2019, about two weeks before her family last heard from her, the jury was told. The following day, she went to the doctors accompanied by Edwards and was advised to go to hospital but never did.
She was last seen two weeks later at Asda supermarket in Darwen with Edwards.
In a fresh appeal, Det Ch Insp Mulla said: "Susan was such a vulnerable woman and she was subjected to the most horrific abuse by Alan Edwards which culminated in her murder at his hands.
"Edwards has never admitted killing Susan, instead claiming she left of her own free will, and while her family have some justice they can never fully grieve while her body remains missing.
"I will continue to try and get answers from Edwards, but I would also appeal to anyone who may have information about Susan's disappearance to come forward."
Ms Waring's family have made repeated calls for Edwards to reveal where her body is and have previously spoken of their "nightmare" of not knowing where she was.
