Man no longer suspected of murdering missing woman

Patricia Finnie was last seen in Southend-on-Sea on 11 May 2017

A man arrested on suspicion of murdering a 64-year-old grandmother has been told he faces no further action by police.

Patricia Finnie disappeared after visiting a friend in Riviera Drive, Southend-on-Sea, on 11 May 2017.

The missing person inquiry became a murder investigation in 2022 and a suspect in his 70s was arrested.

However, Essex Police said on Friday there was "insufficient evidence" against him and conceded detectives had "exhausted all lines of inquiry".

Widespread searches for Ms Finnie were undertaken after she vanished, including in Hockley Woods.

Extensive searches for Ms Finnie were carried out at Hockley Woods

Officers made a breakthrough when they found a number of items in the woods, but did not disclose what they were.

They also investigated a reported sighting of Ms Finnie in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in February 2019.

Det Insp Stewart Eastbrook insisted it had been a "thorough investigation" and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.

"No case is ever closed and we will review any new information that comes to light," he said.

"My thoughts are with Pat's family who are still looking for answers about what happened to her."