Missing British Mother’s Body Found In Forest In Northern U.K.

The remains of a missing mother of two, which turned up in the woods in northern Britain, have been positively identified, authorities announced over the weekend.

A body found in the Forest of Bowland on Friday belongs to Katie Kenyon, Lancashire Police confirmed on Sunday. A post-mortem examination, which positively identified her, determined the 33-year-old mom died from head injuries. 

“Our thoughts remain with Katie’s family and loved ones at this difficult time,” Lancashire Police said in a statement on Twitter on May 1. “The family continues to be supported by specially trained officers.”

Andrew Burfield, 50, had already been charged in her murder. He appeared in Preston Crown Court on Friday, the BBC reported, and his trial is expected to start in November, officials said.

Rescue teams and officers from a number of different law enforcement agencies had previously scoured areas of Gisburn Forest and the Forest of Bowland last week using police dogs and drones in efforts to locate any clues as to the missing mother’s whereabouts.

“I would like to thank the public and the media for all the help they have given us during what has been a protracted, complex and very emotive search and I would also like to thank both the partner agencies and all of the police officers and staff who have been involved in the search for Katie,” Lancashire Police Det. Superintendent Gary Brooks also said. “While this is not the conclusion to those searches any of us would have wished for I know the family appreciate those efforts.” 

Kenyon, who was last seen wearing a blue cardigan, a light blue and white top, black leggings and flip flops, was reported missing last month. The British mother was last thought to have been seen alive on the morning of April 22, police said. A woman matching her description entered a silver Ford Transit cargo van on Todmorden Road, Burnley with a man. The pair allegedly traveled to the Bolton-by-Bowland area in the Ribble Valley district of Lancashire.

“Katie’s disappearance is out of character and her family are understandably very worried,” Chief Inspector Al Davies of the Force Major Investigation Team for the Lancashire Police has said in a statement on April 24.

Kenyon’s family has since set up a fundraiser on British-based fundraising platform JustGiving to help cover funeral expenses and other costs related to her sudden death. As of Monday, the campaign for the slain Padiham mother had raised more than  £16,000 — or $20,000 — from more than 600 donors.

"Our heart-breaking nightmare began when our Katie was taken away from her children and family far too soon,” the fundraiser’s page stated.

The 33-year-old mother, who loved ones described as a "sweetheart" and a "gorgeous" person, is survived by a son and daughter, according to the campaign. 

“We as family are putting together this justgiving page for Katie to have the best send off that Katie deserves & for Katie's son and daughter & their future to fulfill Katie’s dreams she had planned with her children,” the page added. “Thank you for all your kind words and support.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police declined to immediately comment on the ongoing investigation into Kenyon’s death when contacted by Oxygen.com on Monday afternoon.