A man who was being questioned for the kidnap of a missing 33-year-old woman from Lancashire has now been arrested for murder, after police said they only have a “slim hope” that she is alive.
Katie Kenyon, from Padiham, was seen leaving an address in Todmorden Road, Burnley, on Friday morning. A woman matching her description was seen with a man and travelling in a silver Ford Transit.
More than 60 specialist search officers from four police forces are in the process of scouring a rural beauty spot in Lancashire. A 50-year-old man from Burnley, who was being questioned on suspicion of kidnap, was further arrested on suspicion of murder on Tuesday.
Detectives are expected to ask magistrates for more time to question the suspect, who is understood to be known to Kenyon. DS Gary Brooks, Lancashire police’s head of major crime, said: “While I hold some slim hope that Katie may still be found alive I’m sad to say that Katie has now been missing for over four days.
“Despite extensive police enquiries and media appeals we have not found Katie nor have there been any sightings of Katie.
“We have spoken to Katie’s family today and they are understandably extremely upset by this latest development and I have officers continuing to offer them support. My thoughts are with them at this time.”
He added that police were searching several locations, including at Gisburn Forest in the Ribble valley, and urged people to leave the search to specially trained officers.
The area of interest is the largest wooded area in the county, measuring more than 4.6 square miles, and is popular with walkers and cyclists.
Kenyon is described as white, 5ft 9in, with shoulder-length blond hair. She was last seen wearing a blue cardigan, a light blue and white top, and black leggings.
She has not been seen since she went missing on Friday morning.
