Human remains identified as missing Southampton mum Joanne Sheen as man arrested

Human remains discovered in west London have been formally identified as missing Southampton woman Joanne Sheen, more than six years after she disappeared.

Detectives investigating Joanne’s disappearance confirmed today,

Thursday 17 September, that remains recovered from shrubland in Feltham on 12 August belong to the mum-of-three.

The identification followed extensive forensic examination and DNA testing.Joanne was 44 when she was last seen in Southampton in December 2019.

Her disappearance prompted a major investigation involving thousands of lines of enquiry, hundreds of witness statements and searches of properties, boats, waterways and woodland.

Following the identification, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed that a 56-year-old Southampton man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

He remains in police custody while enquiries continue.

Police are treating Joanne’s death as murder and are now working alongside the Metropolitan Police to establish how she came to be in Feltham and what happened to her following her disappearance.

Joanne’s family have been informed of the development and continue to receive support from specialist officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock, from the Major Crime Team, described the identification as a significant development in what has been a lengthy and complex investigation.

He said the discovery had provided detectives with a number of new lines of enquiry and appealed again for anyone who may have information about Joanne’s movements to come forward.

Officers particularly want to hear from anyone who may know about Joanne’s movements around Southampton in late 2019, as well as anyone with information about her presence in London, particularly around Feltham and Hounslow.

Police say information which may have appeared insignificant at the time could now prove important to the investigation.

Crimestoppers has also reinstated a reward of up to £20,000 for information provided exclusively to the charity which leads to the arrest of those responsible for Joanne’s murder.

The reward will remain available until 17 December 2026.Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting Operation Blackboard or reference 44200068330.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A murder investigation remains ongoing and police say all available lines of enquiry are being pursued.