Woman arrested in ‘no-body’ murder investigation over missing girl, 17
Police have arrested a second person on suspicion of murdering Bernadette Walker, 17.
Detectives investigating the missing Peterborough teenager say a woman in her 30s from the same city was arrested on Saturday evening, seven weeks after Bernadette went missing. A man in his 50s from Peterborough, has also been arrested on suspicion of the girl’s murder, and remains in custody, Cambridgeshire Constabulary said in a statement earlier today.
The teenager was reported missing on July 21 by her parents after she had not been seen for three days.
Detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit declared the case a ‘no-body’ murder investigation on Friday, September 11.
Detective Superintendent Jon Hutchinson explained: ‘Due to the length of time Bernadette has been missing and concerns she may have come to some harm, we made the decision to declare this a murder investigation.
‘Whilst we hope we do find Bernadette alive and well, there is every possibility this may not be the case therefore my team and I will do everything possible to find out what has happened to her and bring any offenders to justice.’
Sarah Walker, Bernadette’s mum, said previously: ‘I can’t eat or sleep properly. I miss and love my eldest princess so much, she’s missing out on her baby sister, who has learned to smile and coo already.
‘I have to think that she is hiding at one of her friend’s homes, worried about coming home now that the police will want to speak to her, I can’t think of any alternative scenarios, I just can’t.’
Anyone with information is being asked to get in touch with police online or ring 101 quoting Operation Penshaw.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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