Found Deceased UK - Leah Croucher, 19, Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes, 14 Feb 2019 #4

[LINEOFDUTY]

Hi @LOD, your thoughts are similar to mine about what happened to Leah that morning. I do believe she got into a vehicle and if she did know who the driver was there wouldn't have been any sign of a struggle, hence why no-one noticed that there was anything amiss.
I also think that the police's asking to view just 3 hours of CCTV footage between 8 - 11 that morning was a huge mistake, they should have been viewing hours before and after these times as well. I don't believe that they were looking at any potential vehicles Leah might have been in either. All MOO of course!

As you say there are very few facts and too many grey areas in Leah's case that make it so frustrating. Unless the TVP release any more information there's nothing more to go on apart from what we know already.

As for the reward well it's a good idea but as you said is there any evidence that these ever work?

On a side note what was happening at Furzton Lake the other night? I hope it didn't happen near to where you live and that you didn't get caught up in it.

WiseOwl
A week ago we were aware because of the low Police Helicopter there was an issue it was a long way from any housing on the North side. Three youths have been arrested. 10 were involved in some type of knife fight. There is a youth gang problem that occasionally involves drugs. It’s a shame as such a waste of young people’s lives.

 

[LINEOFDUTY]

Update on the last post MSM reported the reward has now risen to £20,000 . Let’s hope this encouraged someone to speak up.

 

[Spiderplant]

Update on the last post MSM reported the reward has now risen to £20,000 . Let’s hope this encouraged someone to speak up.

He reward is increasing at pace. Is someone making noises? Would this be linked to the section 60 stop and search powers that have been implemented In MK follow yet more stabbing in the furzton area.

Is this causing people to change alliance?

 

[tedtink]

He reward is increasing at pace. Is someone making noises? Would this be linked to the section 60 stop and search powers that have been implemented In MK follow yet more stabbing in the furzton area.

Is this causing people to change alliance?

"Now, following a recent appeal for information on the second anniversary of Leah’s disappearance, further offers of financial support have been made, meaning the reward is now £20,000.

The family of Leah Croucher said: “We are extremely grateful to the local businesses that have donated towards the reward for the safe return of our beautiful daughter, Leah.

“The kindness of strangers, willing to offer their own money to help us find the answers we desperately need, is humbling beyond words. Thank you is not a strong enough word to convey our gratitude.

“We can only hope that the doubling of the reward amount will yield results and finally lead to information allowing us to find what happened to Leah that fateful day. There are still so many questions and barely any answers.

“Again we are asking you to please share this information far and wide, so that everyone is aware of the increase to £20,000. During these times of COVID crisis, we hope that the person or persons who have the information we need will now finally come forward and inform the police.”

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector

Reward to help locate Leah Croucher increased – Milton Keynes

 

[Jenesaisquoi]

Thinking of Leah and family this Easter.

 

[bringmeacupoft]

I’m probably barking up the wrong tree here, very early on in Leah’s disappearance the police rejected an offer of a bigger reward with the opinion it doesn’t actually help. So why now?

Anonymous benefactor criticises police and demands reward for missing Milton Keynes woman Leah Croucher is raised to £50,000

 

[Jenesaisquoi]

I read an interesting online article in Nature about ground penetrating radar, and a trial where it was used to assess wrapped and unwrapped pig carcasses over ten years. (Easier to get hold of the ‘horizontal humans’ for experimental purposes!)

It made me wonder how close it is that drones or some kind of technology could be used relatively routinely to check for soil disturbances etc.

I hope, of course, that by some miracle Leah is alive and well. Failing that, I hope that she can be found and brought back to her family.

 

[Pinkizzy]

I’m probably barking up the wrong tree here, very early on in Leah’s disappearance the police rejected an offer of a bigger reward with the opinion it doesn’t actually help. So why now?

Anonymous benefactor criticises police and demands reward for missing Milton Keynes woman Leah Croucher is raised to £50,000

A reward for a missing person doesn't work in most cases. However, people fall out, partners separate and vital information is shared. It may have something to do with the pandemic or someone feels generous.

 

[Kitkat28]

A reward for a missing person doesn't work in most cases.

I occasionally idly wonder if anyone has ever claimed a large reward for “information leading to...” in a missing person’s case, and I assume it very rarely happens. It would be interesting to know if there’s any data on this anywhere though.

 

[dotr]

I occasionally idly wonder if anyone has ever claimed a large reward for “information leading to...” in a missing person’s case, and I assume it very rarely happens. It would be interesting to know if there’s any data on this anywhere though.

Some info regarding rewards in crime cases, maybe different for those offered in mpers. though..
2014
Do cash rewards actually help catch criminals?
"For anybody that has got that information it might just be the trigger or tipping point for them to come forward," says Nick Howe, a former chief superintendent with Staffordshire Police and now a criminologist at the University of Derby

And yet, the fact is, where rewards are on offer, very few people ever claim them.

Crimestoppers - which takes statements anonymously - offers rewards of up to £1,000 for information that helps the police to make an arrest and charge.

But it says fewer than 2% of people eligible actually claim a reward.

However, the police and newspapers, as well as other private companies, frequently offer large sums of money for information.

So what is the point of offering rewards?
The reason behind putting up the sum of money is straightforward - to create greater media opportunities to glean vital information and help solve crimes.''

2013 rbbm.
Rewards offered for crime tips, but they remain controversial
''The offering of rewards can also be controversial in the case of missing persons, despite the fact that this may be the most frequent use of rewards. When asked about their effectiveness at an event put on by the CUE Center for Missing Persons on Saturday, Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous said, “In my experience, rewards are not effective in these cases. In my time here, never once has a reward been paid.”
Evangelous went on to say that in the case of missing persons, prevention is the most important and effective measure to combat the abduction and kidnapping attempts that often lead to missing person cases.
CUE Center director Monica Caison, who has headed the Wilmington-based nonprofit since she founded it in 1994 to help find missing persons, had a different perspective, calling reward offerings for tips “just one of many tools in the toolbox, same as a billboard.”
“Lot of cases, rewards will encourage tips, especially when the reward is time-sensitive,” Caison said. “Usually if people have a tip, they don’t want the reward. They’ll say, ‘We didn’t do it for the reward.’ “

 

[HollyHunter9]

I guess a reward only works as motivation if definite foul play is involved and others apart from the perpetrator are also aware of the crime to come forward and speak up. Another theory that I sometimess wonder (MOO) is if Leah had some weird freak accident while walking to work that day? I'm sure I've read that MK has a network of underground tunnels with some large storm drains around the furzton lake area.

 

[WiseOwl]

I guess a reward only works as motivation if definite foul play is involved and others apart from the perpetrator are also aware of the crime to come forward and speak up. Another theory that I sometimess wonder (MOO) is if Leah had some weird freak accident while walking to work that day? I'm sure I've read that MK has a network of underground tunnels with some large storm drains around the furzton lake area.

Wow I think you might have stumbled onto something there. I think most parks have storm drains or tunnels in or around them, I wonder if they have ever been searched by the police - I can't recall it being mentioned in MSM?

There was the case of Noah Donahoe the 14 year-old from Belfast who died from drowning in a storm drain last year. And many years ago there was the kidnap and murder of Lesley Whittle, heir to the Whittle coaches franchise. She was found in an underground tunnel in Bathpool Park in Shropshire.

Kidnapping and murder of Lesley Whittle - Wikipedia

Noah Donohoe: CCTV shows teenager moments before last sighting

 

[HollyHunter9]

Wow I think you might have stumbled onto something there. I think most parks have storm drains or tunnels in or around them, I wonder if they have ever been searched by the police - I can't recall it being mentioned in MSM?

There was the case of Noah Donahoe the 14 year-old from Belfast who died from drowning in a storm drain last year. And many years ago there was the kidnap and murder of Lesley Whittle, heir to the Whittle coaches franchise. She was found in an underground tunnel in Bathpool Park in Shropshire.

Kidnapping and murder of Lesley Whittle - Wikipedia

Noah Donohoe: CCTV shows teenager moments before last sighting

Yes it was Noah's case that made me think maybe this could be a possibility. Perhaps MK locals could shed some light on if there are any storm drains/tunnels near where she went missing?

 

[Spiderplant]

Yes it was Noah's case that made me think maybe this could be a possibility. Perhaps MK locals could shed some light on if there are any storm drains/tunnels near where she went missing?

There are a few weir types places mainly on the Newport/olney side and a water works at willen lake east.

Not sure around the furzton lakes/ teardrop lakes etc. Though- @LINEOFDUTY may know- about that specific area.

 

[LINEOFDUTY]

There are a few weir types places mainly on the Newport/olney side and a water works at willen lake east.

Not sure around the furzton lakes/ teardrop lakes etc. Though- @LINEOFDUTY may know- about that specific area.

Hi Holly/Spider. I know the weir area well but walked over to inspect other aspects of an area that has dense evergreen bushes. Thats the area that leads past Gate 2 to the Bowl, entertainment venue.
The Furzton Lake weir consists of a low wall over which water flows into a shallow pit and then through strong iron gratings. If an individual fell into the shallow pit they would remain there. water flows in a culvert and reappears at a fenced outfall with a shallow pit about 50 yards away. From there its a wide shallow concrete waterway for 80 yards which enters under Watling street. Water level here is controlled by the wier, today in the waterway it was only one foot deep. As this is unfenced I doubt it has ever caused problems as its a well used area by families every summer, and when concerts have been on with the likes of Bon Jovi, and Robbie Williams the area is bursting with people.On the other side of Watling street water falls out of this concrete waterway into a normal unlined stream that makes its way to the first of the Tear Drop lakes. As has been mentioned in the past, this was one of the first areas that was searched by Specialist rescue teams and divers so it would be remarkable if they failed to search these areas is great detail. Taking your great point about a potential accident on her way to work, and given this area is half way between the Watling Street car park and the hotel, I had a good search along the hedging on the Bowl side as there have been cases of hit and run where its taken a long time to locate the individual who was hit. Mainly searching for any clothing but nothing found. There are two small huts in the bushes near Gate 2. One looks like its an official power supply structure but the other one which is covered in Graffiti looks a little out of place but I am sure it would have been checked out by TVP. If not having read this they will be over to check it out.
Sorry I am not aware of any tunnels in this area.

 

[HollyHunter9]

Hi Holly/Spider. I know the weir area well but walked over to inspect other aspects of an area that has dense evergreen bushes. Thats the area that leads past Gate 2 to the Bowl, entertainment venue.
The Furzton Lake weir consists of a low wall over which water flows into a shallow pit and then through strong iron gratings. If an individual fell into the shallow pit they would remain there. water flows in a culvert and reappears at a fenced outfall with a shallow pit about 50 yards away. From there its a wide shallow concrete waterway for 80 yards which enters under Watling street. Water level here is controlled by the wier, today in the waterway it was only one foot deep. As this is unfenced I doubt it has ever caused problems as its a well used area by families every summer, and when concerts have been on with the likes of Bon Jovi, and Robbie Williams the area is bursting with people.On the other side of Watling street water falls out of this concrete waterway into a normal unlined stream that makes its way to the first of the Tear Drop lakes. As has been mentioned in the past, this was one of the first areas that was searched by Specialist rescue teams and divers so it would be remarkable if they failed to search these areas is great detail. Taking your great point about a potential accident on her way to work, and given this area is half way between the Watling Street car park and the hotel, I had a good search along the hedging on the Bowl side as there have been cases of hit and run where its taken a long time to locate the individual who was hit. Mainly searching for any clothing but nothing found. There are two small huts in the bushes near Gate 2. One looks like its an official power supply structure but the other one which is covered in Graffiti looks a little out of place but I am sure it would have been checked out by TVP. If not having read this they will be over to check it out.
Sorry I am not aware of any tunnels in this area.

Thank you as always LOD for your valuable local input! I'm just sure I read somewhere there being storm drains/underground tunnels around milton Keynes, some near furzton lake, although I'm struggling to find a link to where I read it now!

 

[WiseOwl]

Hi Holly/Spider. I know the weir area well but walked over to inspect other aspects of an area that has dense evergreen bushes. Thats the area that leads past Gate 2 to the Bowl, entertainment venue.
The Furzton Lake weir consists of a low wall over which water flows into a shallow pit and then through strong iron gratings. If an individual fell into the shallow pit they would remain there. water flows in a culvert and reappears at a fenced outfall with a shallow pit about 50 yards away. From there its a wide shallow concrete waterway for 80 yards which enters under Watling street. Water level here is controlled by the wier, today in the waterway it was only one foot deep. As this is unfenced I doubt it has ever caused problems as its a well used area by families every summer, and when concerts have been on with the likes of Bon Jovi, and Robbie Williams the area is bursting with people.On the other side of Watling street water falls out of this concrete waterway into a normal unlined stream that makes its way to the first of the Tear Drop lakes. As has been mentioned in the past, this was one of the first areas that was searched by Specialist rescue teams and divers so it would be remarkable if they failed to search these areas is great detail. Taking your great point about a potential accident on her way to work, and given this area is half way between the Watling Street car park and the hotel, I had a good search along the hedging on the Bowl side as there have been cases of hit and run where its taken a long time to locate the individual who was hit. Mainly searching for any clothing but nothing found. There are two small huts in the bushes near Gate 2. One looks like its an official power supply structure but the other one which is covered in Graffiti looks a little out of place but I am sure it would have been checked out by TVP. If not having read this they will be over to check it out.
Sorry I am not aware of any tunnels in this area.

Hi LOD - Thanks for your local info it is very much appreciated.

In your opinion how likely is it that a body could have been hidden around Furzton lake somewhere. If there are indeed any tunnels or underground shafts in the area who could possibly have access to them in order to hide a body?

Also would you know how to get hold of any plans or maps of Furzton lake when it was first constructed? They would probably show any tunnels or the like that would lie around the lake.

TIA

 

[LINEOFDUTY]

Hi LOD - Thanks for your local info it is very much appreciated.

In your opinion how likely is it that a body could have been hidden around Furzton lake somewhere. If there are indeed any tunnels or underground shafts in the area who could possibly have access to them in order to hide a body?

Also would you know how to get hold of any plans or maps of Furzton lake when it was first constructed? They would probably show any tunnels or the like that would lie around the lake.

TIA

I have examined older ordanance maps of the area and cannot see any reference to tunnels, wells or shafts. The area can be examined in detail from https:// osmaps,ordancesurvey.co.uk
Search for Furzton. It shows all the different streams and lakes. Some near the Teardrop lakes marked as drains are open shallow drainage ditches or 9 inch pipes. Unless you can provide further leads I cannot find any evidence in this area. Some internet references to tunnels relate to disused tunnels in other areas miles from Furzton.
The use of search dogs for several weeks after 15th Feb and the thousands of people who have been to every part of the area since leads me to think no body is here. Given the passage of time and individuals like me adding to the extensive searches it very difficult to say where a body could be. Yes there are manholes around but only the LE can raise and search such places.
One issue I raised with TVP was the number of empty houses on her route , mostly investment or second homes. From my observations they were not searched.
There are a few areas with dense evergreen bushes which could have been used as a short term hiding place but it’s just grasping at straws rather than building on known Facts.

 

[Stewlb]

Stephen Keogh: Missing man's cause of death unknown

The link is regarding missing man in Milton Keynes, who had been missing for 4 years when his remains were found not too far from where he went missing.

so not an impossibility for a body to lay undiscovered for some years.

 

[dotr]

Stephen Keogh: Missing man's cause of death unknown

The link is regarding missing man in Milton Keynes, who had been missing for 4 years when his remains were found not too far from where he went missing.

so not an impossibility for a body to lay undiscovered for some years.

Very interesting and also a possibility in Leah's case, imo.rbbm

''Stephen Keogh's remains were "semi-buried" in "shallow water" in a tunnel in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, on 21 January.

The rest of his skeleton was found 30m down the tunnel nine days later, Milton Keynes Coroner's Court heard.''