Police have confirmed that a body found in the search for a missing woman has been formally identified as Laurel Aldridge.
The 62-year-old, sister-in-law of actor Mackenzie Crook, was eventually found in the Tortington Lane area of Walberton, West Sussex, after an 11-day search.
Sussex police confirmed formal identification had taken place, after she was reported missing from her home in the village, near Arundel, on 14 February.
Confirming the discovery of a body on Saturday, a police spokesperson said: “Sadly the body of a woman has been found in the Tortington Lane area of Arundel.
“At this stage, the family of missing Laurel Aldridge have been informed and we are seeking to confirm the identity of the woman.”
Crook, known for roles in The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean and Worzel Gummidge, had made public appeals to find his wife’s sister.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, the actor said he had seen “nothing but determination and stoicism” from the family during the search.
Aldridge’s son Matthew said in a Facebook post that his mother’s body had been found in “beautiful woodland”, adding: “We will miss her every day, but we are so proud of everything she achieved in her 62 years on this earth.
“Laurel was a wonderful, creative, fiercely-intelligent person, who taught us all the meaning of empathy, dependability, and love.”
He continued: “We as a family are broken by what has happened, but we have each other, we have our friends, and we have the support of the local community, who have so kindly rallied around us during this difficult time. We will never forget what you have done for us.
“For the time being, we are asking for privacy so that we can be together as a family and process our loss.”
