Murder investigation after disappearance of Bedfordshire woman last seen five months ago

Detectives have begun a murder investigation after the disappearance of a 74-year-old woman who was last seen five months ago.

Bedfordshire Police believe that Annette Smith, from West Wing, Fairfield Park, near Stotfold, has not been seen since November 2023.

As a result of an investigation into the 74-year-old's disappearance, detectives say they are now treating it as a murder case.

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

She was carrying a suitcase and is thought to have got into a navy blue or black estate car with another woman, they added.

Det Ch Insp Dale Mepstead, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: “We have been carrying out thorough inquiries into Annette’s disappearance and based on the information that we have, we are now treating this as a murder investigation.

“We believe that Annette was last seen on or around 11 November 2023.

"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.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting Operation Broome, or at www.beds.police.uk

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