Detectives investigating the suspected murder of Sarah Henshaw believe they have found her body in a layby near an M1 motorway junction.
Ms Henshaw, 31, was last seen around 9pm on Tuesday, June 20, at her home in Norman Street in the town of Ilkeston.
Police urgently searched for her, describing her disappearance as “very out of character”, and on Sunday confirmed they were treating the case as a murder investigation after information that suggested “she may be seriously hurt or deceased”.
On Monday afternoon, Derbyshire Constabulary confirmed a body believed to be that of Ms Henshaw had been found in a layby off the M1 motorway, around 20 miles from Chesterfield.
Ms Henshaw’s family has been informed.
#UPDATE | A body believed to be that of Sarah Henshaw has been found. A man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in police custody. If you can help please scan this QR code to submit information and photos directly into the incident room: https://t.co/tBesQygYfB pic.twitter.com/GDmp0Ee1iG
— Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) June 26, 2023
A Derbyshire Police statement said: “Just after 12am on Monday June 26 officers attended a layby off the westbound carriageway of the A617, close to junction 29 of the M1, where a body believed to be Sarah was discovered.
“Her family have been made aware, are being supported by specialist officers and our thoughts are with them at this time.”
Police also confirmed they have been given more time to question a man arrested in connection with the case.
On Sunday, detectives released a CCTV image of Ms Henshaw, and called for any witnesses to come forward.
Derbyshire Constabulary was particularly keen to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of a blue Ford Transit van, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 21, around the area of J29 of the M1 and the A617 in Chesterfield.
Ms Henshaw was described as white and of a medium build, with long dark straight hair worn in a bun, and a tattoo on her right foot.
She is thought to have been wearing a black lightweight coat, a khaki green top, blue skinny jeans, and black flat pumps when she went missing.
Anyone who has any information that may assist our investigation is asked to contact Derbyshire Constabulary via its website, Facebook, Twitter, or by phoning 101, and quoting incident number 444 of 23 June.
