Second Swindon body identified

Remains of young Swindon woman last seen in 2003 have been identified using national DNA database Police have revealed a second body discovered by officers investigating the murder of Sian O’Callaghan is that of a woman from Swindon who was last seen in 2003. The remains of the young woman, found buried at a farm in Eastleach, Gloucestershire, were identified using the national DNA database. Officers have informed the woman’s mother and are expected to release the identity of the victim and appeal for information about her disappearance. She was last seen by her family after telling them she was heading to work in London. O’Callaghan’s body was found near a roadside in Oxfordshire on 24 March, five days after the 22-year-old office worker went missing. Two days later police found the remains of the second body. Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher, from Wiltshire police, said the second body had been identified through DNA. “We have identified the victim … with a probability of approaching one in a billion. So we are confident we have identified that victim of that crime – a young woman from the Swindon area. I have informed some of her family – particularly her mother – but it’s too early at this stage to identify her publicly.” Police previously said they believed the second woman was between 23 and 30. At the opening of O’Callaghan’s inquest last week it emerged she was likely to have died from head injuries. Coroner Nicholas Gardiner, sitting at Oxford, said further examination would determine exactly how the young woman died. “I think the actual cause of death has not yet been defined but is likely to be head injuries of some description.” O’Callaghan was reported missing shortly after the Suju nightclub in Swindon. Her body was found near the Uffington White Horse. A local taxi driver, Chris Halliwell, 47, has been charged with O’Callaghan’s murder and a preliminary hearing is due to take place at Bristol crown court on Friday. Crime Steven Morris guardian.co.uk

Posted by on April 5, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.