Detectives investigating the disappearance of Joanne Sheen have arrested a second man on suspicion of murder following the discovery of human remains in London last month. The breakthrough in the cold case, which has spanned nearly seven years, came after a wildfire cleared dense foliage to reveal the site where she was found.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed on 20 September 2026 that a 56-year-old man from Southampton was arrested in connection with the death. He has since been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries. His arrest follows that of another 56-year-old man, also from Southampton, who remains on conditional bail.
Joanne Sheen, who was 44 when she vanished, was last seen on 5 December 2019 while travelling between Fareham and Southampton. She was officially reported missing by her family in February 2020, sparking a massive missing persons investigation that eventually saw officers pursue more than 4,000 separate lines of enquiry.
Discovery at ‘The Pits’
The remains were discovered on 12 August 2026 at an area known as ‘The Pits’ near Padstow Walk in Feltham, West London. The site had been heavily overgrown for years, but a wildfire earlier that month stripped back the vegetation, allowing the remains to be spotted. Following extensive DNA testing, police recently confirmed the identity as Joanne Sheen.
While the Metropolitan Police initially managed the scene in Feltham, the lead on the murder investigation has now been transferred to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, given the victim’s and suspects’ links to the Southampton area.
According to ITV News London, the investigation has transitioned into a full-scale murder inquiry following the forensic identification. Police have not yet confirmed a cause of death, which remains subject to ongoing coronial processes.
Ongoing Investigation
Officers have spent years trying to piece together Joanne’s final movements. Despite the passage of time, investigators believe there are individuals who may have information about how she came to be in Feltham and the circumstances surrounding her death.
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “We continue to appeal for anyone with information that could assist our investigation to come forward. Even the smallest detail could be significant.”
Members of the public with information are urged to contact the police by calling 101 or by submitting a report online via the Hampshire Police website. For those who wish to remain anonymous, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.