Murder probe under way after Stotfold woman disappeared

Annette Smith, 74, was last seen in November 2023

Police say the disappearance of a 74-year-old woman is now being treated as a murder investigation.

Annette Smith, from Fairfield Park, Stotfold, Bedfordshire, was last seen five months ago, on or around 11 November, police said.

The force had earlier appealed for information, saying she had been seen getting into a navy or black car with an unidentified female.

It is also believed Ms Smith may have connections to the West Midlands area.

Det Ch Insp Dale Mepstead, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "We have been carrying out thorough enquiries into Annette's disappearance and, based on the information that we have, we are now treating this as a murder investigation.

"We are appealing for anyone who may have spoken with or seen Annette in early November to contact us, as well as anyone who may have any information about her."

Ms Smith was last seen wearing a white and black striped cardigan and red leather slip-on shoes and was carrying a suitcase, police said.