Southend: Murder suspect bailed in Patricia Finnie disappearance case

Patricia Finnie went missing in May 2017

A man arrested on suspicion of murder after the disappearance of a woman six years ago has been released on bail.

Patricia Finnie was 64 when she went missing from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on 11 May 2017.

She was last seen at around noon in the Bellevue area after visiting a friend at an address in Riviera Drive earlier in the day.

The man in his 70s was arrested on Tuesday. Essex Police said inquiries continued.

Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have been carrying out a search of an area of Hockley Woods the north of the city this week.

Essex Police searched an area of Hockley Woods, about seven miles from Southend

The force previously concluded Ms Finnie was no longer alive and launched a murder investigation

Det Supt Rob Kirby, head of major crime, said: "Patricia is a mother and grandmother and her disappearance has had a really big impact on her family.

"They understandably have questions about what's happened to her, and we're committed to doing everything we can to provide them with answers.

"There is a team of dedicated detectives and staff working hard to establish what happened to Patricia and bring those responsible to justice."

Essex Police are appealing for information about Ms Finnie's disappearance six years ago

Following a review of Ms Finnie's disappearance by specialist officers it was concluded she was no longer alive and the force was now treating the case as a murder investigation.

Det Supt Kirby appealed for anyone with information or who may have seen her on 11 May 2017 to get in touch.

"It is now six years ago, but I believe people will have seen Patricia on 11 May and have information which will help give her family the answers they need," he said.