Family of Leah Croucher say they will ‘never stop seeking answers’

The heartrending promise was made in a handwritten message signed “Nan and Grandad” that was left amid floral tributes near a house in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes, where police have found human remains.

The message, tied to a bunch of yellow roses, read: “Our darling, we will never stop seeking answers.

“Will love and miss you always.”

They were laid by a group of mourners, of various ages, who were clearly upset and did not want to speak.

They also laid a large wreath of white lilies and pink roses.

They also left a bunch of yellow, pink and red roses that was addressed to “our beautiful darling”.

A handwritten note attached to it read: “While our hopes and dreams to find you safe and well have been stolen from us a new hope for answers and justice is now part of our path to fight ahead.

“We promise you with all our hearts that we will never ever give up fighting for you.

“All our love always and forever.”

Forensics experts have been scouring the property where detectives, who have launched a murder inquiry, have also found some of Ms Croucher’s possessions.

Blue tarpaulin could be seen in the back garden of the house where investigators had erected tall black screens and a police tent in the front driveway, blocking the view from the street.

A three-and-a-half year search for Ms Croucher, who was 19 when she went missing, is focusing on the two-storey brick house which is less than half a mile from where she was last seen.

Thames Valley Police said they had found human remains at the property on Wednesday, and that investigators would be there “for some time”.

A police spokesman said: “Monday was the first time we were alerted to this property by a member of the public in connection with this investigation.

“However, as an address in Furzton, the address was visited as part of our house-to-house inquiries as part of the investigation, during which we visited more than 4,000 addresses.

“There was no response at the property and as such leaflets would have been dropped through the letterbox.”

Uniformed officers are standing guard at a cordon which is taping off two properties in the street.

By Thursday wellwishers had laid flowers, candles, teddy bears and tea-lights in the shape of the letter L at the edge of the police tape which cordoned off the house and its neighbouring detached property.

A message attached to a bundle of flowers and a small teddy bear read: “Sorry for your loss. You are at peace now with your brother.”

Ms Croucher’s family was struck by further tragedy when her brother, Haydon, died at the age of 24 in November 2019.

Another message among floral tributes read: “Leah, sleep tight darling. You are at peace now.”

Another member of the public wrote: “Rest easy Leah, taken far too soon.

“Time for your parents to take you home baby girl. All our condolences.”

Ms Croucher was last seen on CCTV in Buzzacott Lane, Furzton, just after 8.15am on February 15 2019 walking in the direction of Loxbeare Drive and Chaffron Way.

She vanished while walking to work.

A tip-off from a member of the public on Monday led detectives to the property where “items of concern” were found, Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said on Wednesday.

Police began searching the house on Monday and launched a murder inquiry when they found a rucksack and other personal belongings of Ms Croucher.

Mr Hunter said: “We are dealing with a very difficult scene but we can now confirm that we have discovered a number of items that are linked to Leah, and as such we have now launched a murder investigation, led by our Major Crime Unit.”

The force said forensic examination would go on for some time.

Hundreds of officers and staff have worked on the search for Ms Croucher in the past three-and-a-half years, scouring 1,200 hours of CCTV and carrying out 4,000 house-to-house inquiries.

The search for her has involved specialist police search teams, the mounted section, police dogs, the marine unit and the National Police Air Service.

The scene at the house is “difficult and challenging”, Mr Hunter said.

Ms Croucher’s parents, Claire and John, have previously described the disappearance of their “beautiful and wonderful daughter” as “highly unusual”, adding: “We still have no answers as to why.”