Mother-of-two Katie Kenyon, 33, died of head injuries after body found at beauty spot, police say
Missing mother Katie Kenyon died from head injuries: Police confirm body found in Lancashire beauty spot is 33-year-old – after ex-boyfriend, 50, was charged with her murder
The body of Katie Kenyon was found by police in the Forest of Bowland on FridayLancashire Police has confirmed the 33-year-old mother died of ‘head injuries’She had not been seen since getting into a van in Burnley on Friday, April 22Her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Burfield, 50, has since been charged with her murder
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A mother whose body was found at a Lancashire beauty spot a week after she went missing died as a result ‘head injuries’, police have confirmed.
In a statement Lancashire Police confirmed today a body found in the Forest of Bowland on Friday night was that of Katie Kenyon.
The 33-year-old had not been seen since getting in a silver Ford Transit van in Burnley on Friday, April 22, which was then driven 17 miles into the Ribble Valley.
The body of Katie Kenyon was found by police in the Forest of Bowland on Friday night, Lancashire Police has confirmed
Andrew Burfield, 50, was charged with Ms Kenyon’s murder earlier this week while police were still searching for her
The mother-of-two went missing on Friday, April 22, with police describing her disappearance as extremely ‘out of character’
Her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Burfield, was charged with her murder last week while police carried out extensive searches for in the Forest of Bowland and Gisburn Forest.
Police announced yesterday that they found a body in the Forest of Bowland on Friday night, April 27, which they believed to be that of the mother-of-two.
Now Lancashire Police has confirmed it is her and a post-mortem has determined she died from ‘head injuries’.
‘We can now sadly confirm that the body found in the Forest of Bowland is that of Katie Kenyon,’ it said.
Police were pictured searching Gisburn Forest in Slaidburn, Lancashire, on Friday, April 29. Ms Kenyon’s body was found later that day
‘Police found Katie on Friday following extensive searches and she has now been formally identified as the missing Padiham mum, 33.
‘Our thoughts remain with Katie’s family and loved ones at this difficult time. The family continues to be supported by specially trained officers.
‘A Home Office post-mortem examination was conducted yesterday and the cause of death was given as head injuries.
‘We would like to thank, once again, all those who helped during the search for Katie.
‘Andrew Burfield, 50, of Todmorden Road in Burnley has appeared in court charged with Katie’s murder and will be face trial in November.’
A court sketch of Andrew Burfield, who is set to be put on trial for Ms Kenyon’s murder in November
Burfield appeared in court on Friday charged with her murder.
The 50-year-old appeared at Preston Crown Court by videolink from HMP Preston, speaking only to confirm his identity.
He was remanded into custody ahead of a crown court trial in November.
Judge Medland QC set a date for Burfield to return to court on August 22 for a plea and trial preparation hearing, Lancashire Live reports.
Police spent a week desperately looking for the mother-of-one, with officers focusing their efforts on the Forest of Bowland and Gisburn Forest.
Police set up forensic tents in multiple areas in an effort to trace her after she disappeared last week.
Typically the structures can be used to protect forensic evidence, but may also be staked out to provide cover for equipment.
More than 60 specialist search officers from four police forces have been scouring land looking for her. The hunt involved police and fire service officers, dog teams, mounted police, mountain rescue volunteers and drones.
Scores of officers have been seen scouring the 3,000-acre Gisburn Forest, some 23 miles from Todmorden Road in Ms Kenyon’s hometown.
Ms Kenyon was seen getting into a silver Ford Transit van which left Burnley towards the Bolton-by-Bowland area at around 9.30am.
On Friday they were seen searching an area of Gisburn Forest, but later directed their attentions back to the Forest of Bowland after receiving information about her location.
A silver Ford Transit van which police say Ms Kenyon got into on Friday morning, April 22
Lancashire Police was seen erecting tents in an area of Gisburn Forest as they continued their search on Friday
After the body was found on Friday, Detective Superintendent Gary Brooks, head of Lancashire Police’s major investigation unit, said on Saturday: ‘Following extensive police inquiries and after a number of days of searching, I can now sadly confirm that we have found a body and at this time we believe it to be that of Katie Kenyon.
‘Katie’s family have been told and my heart goes out to them at this time. We have specially trained officers supporting them at this difficult time.
‘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.
A JustGiving page in her memory has raised more than £13,000, with family on the page thanking the public for their support
‘While this is not the conclusion to those searches any of us would have wished for, I know the family appreciate those efforts.
‘Once again, my thoughts today are with Katie’s family and all of her loved ones.’
A JustGiving page in her memory has so far raised £13,450.
A message from the family read: ‘On Friday April 22, our heartbreaking nightmare began when our Katie was taken away from her children and family far too soon.
‘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 fulfil Katie’s dreams she had planned with her children.
‘As we know you all want to help, this would be the most appreciated way. Any donations will be truly, gratefully received. Thank you for all your kind words and support. We know you’re all behind us.’
