Remains found in search for woman missing since 2006

Malgorzata Wnuczek was living in Leicester when she disappeared on 31 May 2006

Police have found human remains during a search for a woman who disappeared nearly 20 years ago.

Malgorzata Wnuczek, 27, from Poland, was living in Leicester when she went missing on 31 May 2006, with her family last hearing from her in a text two days earlier.

On Wednesday, officers said it was "unknown" whether remains found in scrublands off the Great Central Way were that of Ms Wnuczek and "further forensic tests will be undertaken to establish the identity of the person in question".

Leicestershire Police said a search of the area was "continuing".

The investigation has been treated as a murder investigation since 2009 and "continues as such", police added.

Police previously searched the River Soar around Mill Lane bridge in 2023

Police said the latest search began on 30 September "following further information received from colleagues in Poland".

As well as an investigation at the time of her disappearance, police issued an appeal for information in 2016 on the 10th anniversary of her disappearance.

Ms Wnuczek was last seen catching a bus from her workplace at Peter Jackson Logistics on Sunningdale Road, police said.

In June 2023, police arrested a 39-year-old man in the Greater Manchester area on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice.

He was later released with "no further action", said police.

The East Midlands Special Operations Unit also conducted searches of the River Soar in July 2023 after receiving new information from Polish police.

Officers are still in contact with Polish police and are now providing support to Ms Wnuczek's family.

Det Supt Jenni Greenway, senior investigating officer, said: "While I appreciate this news may come as a shock to the community, I hope this discovery will provide us with information that helps us understand what may or may not have happened to Malgorzata.

"Officers are in contact with her family and are providing support to them at what is undoubtedly a difficult time.

"Officers will remain in the Watkin Road area to carry out further work and also provide reassurance to those living nearby."