18/03/2009

Two Bodies Found In Lake Search

Police searching for a missing florist and her disabled daughter have recovered two bodies, thought to be the pair, in the lake near their home.

Jude Richmond, 41, and her nine-year-old daughter Millie Whitehead-Richmond, who has cerebral palsy, were last seen Sunday evening at their home in South Cerney, Gloucestershire.

A specialist team of divers from a neighbouring police force found the bodies of a young girl and an adult female in a lake at the back of their home.

"Formal identification of the bodies in unlikely to be carried out until tomorrow however our sympathies are with Millie and Jude’s next of kin who have been informed of the discovery," a police spokesman said.

"The deaths are currently being unexplained and investigations are continuing."

Detectives are waiting to speak to Mrs Richmond's ex-partner Nick Richmond, who currently lives in New Zealand. It is understood he is flying to the UK.

Police were first alerted to the pair's disappearance by the family cleaner on Monday morning.

It is thought the 41-year-old, who ran a florist business with clients including royalty and celebrities, was vulnerable and possibly depressed.

(JM/BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 March 2009
Bodies Found In Lake 'Are Missing Mother And Daughter'
Post mortem examinations have revealed the two bodies recovered from a lake in the Cotswolds are those of a missing florist and her daughter, who died from drowning.
01 April 2004
New police complaints body launched today
A new independent police complaints organisation has been launched today which is designed to "increase police and public confidence" in the accountability and integrity of the police service, the Home Office has said.
10 June 2008
Police Lose High Court Pay Battle
Police officers have lost their High Court battle for a 2.5% pay rise to be paid in full. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith refused to implement their pay award in full, which has led to bitterness among the ranks. The Police Federation said that Ms Smith has acted unlawfully.
08 August 2006
Police search house for bodies
Police are searching the former home of a jailed paedophile for bodies allegedly buried there. Police are digging up the garden at the former home of Leslie Ford-Thrussell, 72, in Walton Green, New Addington, Croydon, after receiving a tip-off in an anonymous letter.
16 May 2012
Police Federation Warns Home Secretary Is "Destroying Police"
Home secretary Theresa May is facing harsh criticism from rank-and-file police officers, who say she is "on the precipice of destroying" a police service admired throughout the world.