Police have named a dead sex offender as the prime suspect in the murder of a teenager who went missing three and a half years ago.
Neil Maxwell would have been arrested in connection with the murder probe into Leah Croucher if he were alive, according to Thames Valley Police. He died by suicide in April 2019, the force said.
Police found items belonging to Leah – who was last seen in February 2019 – and human remains at a property in Milton Keynes earlier this week.
Maxwell was the only person with keys to the house who was in the UK at the time of the 19-year-old’s disappearance, police said.
Thames Valley Police launched a murder investigation after Leah’s possessions were found at the property in the Furzton area of the city this week.
The breakthrough came after a member of the public alerted them to the house on Loxbeare Drive on Monday.
Thames Valley Police named Maxwell – who was 49 years old at the time of his death – as the murder suspect on Friday.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said: “It is unusual to name a suspect, but we have also learned this week that during the time when Leah went missing, and whilst the owner of the property was not in the UK, Maxwell was the only person to have keys to the property.”
He said Maxwell was employed to carry out some maintenance work at the house, which was unoccupied at the time of Leah’s disappearance. Its owner lives abroad and rarely visits the UK, he added.
“Whilst Maxwell has been nominated as a suspect, this does not mean he is guilty of any offence,” the head of crime for Thames Valley Police said.
“We will keep an open mind, and our detailed investigation will seek to gather sufficient evidence to establish the truth. This may or may not implicate or exonerate Maxwell or any other persons from the investigation.”
The suspect had previous convictions for sexual offences against females, according to DCS Hunter. He was wanted in connection with a sexual assault in Newport Pagnell, a town in the Milton Keynes area, in November 2018.
“Maxwell knew he was wanted in connection with the sexual assault and was travelling across the UK and making concerted efforts to evade arrest, including using false names and changing his mobile phone and vehicles,” he said.
Thames Valley Police’s head of crime said there were 18 attempts to arrest Maxwell before he was found dead.
“During our entire investigation to find Leah, there has been no direct link between Maxwell and Leah until Monday this week when we were called about the property in Loxbeare Drive,” he said.
“If Maxwell were alive today, we would be seeking his arrest in connection with this investigation, so he could be interviewed under caution to provide his account.”
DCS Hunter appealed to anyone who had contact with Maxwell between November 2018 and his death in April 2019 to contact Thames Valley Police, as well as anyone with information that might help their inquiries.
Officers have remained at the scene of the Furzton property since discovering Leah’s belongings and human remains – yet to be formally identified – there.
A post-mortem was due to take place on Friday, which police said may take some time to come back.
Leah’s family visited the house where the discoveries were made on Thursday, leaving a note nearby that said: “Our darkest fears have come true.”
Leah has been described as quiet teenager who preferred reading fantasy fiction or watching DVDs to socialising.
She was last seen in Milton Keynes on 15 February 2019 as she walked along Buzzacott Lane. It was thought she was heading to work but never arrived.
A statement from her family – shared by police on Friday – said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Thames Valley Police for all their efforts over the past three years and eight months.
“We believe that they could not have done anything differently, they have always approached every conversation with dignity and compassion.”
It added: “As a family, we ask that everyone respects our privacy as well as our immediate family, at what is one of the most difficult times of our lives.”
DCS Hunter said on Friday: I cannot even begin to imagine what it is like for Leah’s parents and family, for three years and eight months not knowing what has happened to their daughter and loved one.
“All of the investigation team who are working on this case are dedicated to finding the truth for Leah’s family.”
He urged anyone with information to contact Thames Valley Police via its website or by calling 101, quoting “Op Innsbruck”. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can call the independent charity Crimestoppers instead on 0800 555 111.
