Man rearrested over Feltham fire remains identified as missing mother

A 56-year-old man has been rearrested on suspicion of murder following the identification of human remains found after a fire in Feltham. The remains have been confirmed as those of Joanne Sheen, a mother-of-three who was last seen in December 2019.

The discovery was made on August 12 in shrubland near Padstow Walk, Feltham, which had been damaged by a fire approximately one week prior. The Metropolitan Police were alerted after bones were found by a member of the public at the site, close to Bedfont Lakes Country Park.

Investigation history

Joanne Sheen, then 44, was last seen on December 5, 2019, when she travelled from Fareham to Southampton with a friend. She was reported missing by her family in February 2020. The Metropolitan Police launched a major investigation into her disappearance, which involved more than 4,000 lines of inquiry and over 300 statements. In 2020, several arrests were made on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, but no charges were brought, and the case remained unsolved. Officers had previously noted that Ms. Sheen had no fixed address, did not own a vehicle, and held no bank account.

The fire that damaged the shrubland occurred on August 5 and was attended by the London Fire Brigade. It affected approximately two hectares of land at Bedfont Pits.

Current police action

Following the identification of the remains as Joanne Sheen, the investigation has been handed over to Hampshire Police. The 56-year-old man rearrested in connection with the case, who is from Southampton, was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He has been released on conditional bail. Another 56-year-old man, also from Southampton, was previously arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and released on bail.