Catherine Gowing: Police identify missing vet's remains

Catherine Gowing was last seen more than three weeks ago leaving a supermarket

Human remains found last week have been identified as those of the missing Flintshire vet Catherine Gowing, say North Wales Police.

Ms Gowing, 37, who is originally from the Republic of Ireland, has not been seen for more than three weeks.

Detectives were awaiting test results on the remains found in a pool at Sealand in Flintshire last Wednesday.

More remains were found on the banks of the River Dee near Chester on Friday. A man has been charged with her murder.

Clive Sharp, 46, originally from Bethesda, Gwynedd, has been charged with murder and has been remanded in custody until 7 January.

Det Ch Insp Mark Pierce, the senior investigating officer, said: "The post-mortem confirmed our fears and the results have been passed to Catherine's family.

"We are also awaiting identification of further remains found on the banks of the River Dee in Ferry Lane, Higher Ferry, Chester, on Friday, 2 November.

"The search continues for further remains and any other evidence which will assist this investigation."

He repeated his appeal for information about sightings of Ms Gowing's Irish registered Renault Clio and Mr Sharp's black Volvo, particularly in the Sealand area, since 12 October.

He added: "I would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in fields in the Manor Road area of Sealand to contact police on 101."

The latest remains were found at Ferry Lane, Higher Ferry, Chester, by an off-duty Cheshire Police officer at 14:15 GMT on Friday.

Disused quarry

The scene of the discovery, around three miles from the first, was secured for a forensic examination to be carried out and a further detailed search.

On Thursday, officers confirmed human remains were found in a shallow pool after searches in fields off Manor Road, Sealand.

Miss Gowing, who is originally from Kinnity, near Birr, in County Offaly, worked as a vet in Mold at the time of her disappearance more than three weeks ago.

She has not been seen since approximately 20:40 BST on Friday, 12 October when she was spotted on CCTV leaving an Asda supermarket in Queensferry.

Her burned-out Renault Clio was found near a disused quarry near her New Brighton home a week later.