Search for wife's body may resume

Michael Bowen admitted causing his wife's death

Gwent Police may resume the search for the body of Sandie Bowen - whose husband was convicted of her murder in 1998.

Michael Bowen was jailed for life after his 54-year-old wife Sandie went missing from their Monmouthshire home five years ago - he always protested his innocence.

But, four years after being sentenced to life imprisonment, he has now admitted killing her.

Sandie Bowen went missing in 1997

Bowen had continued to deny any involvement in her disappearance but police believed that the forestry worker had killed her and buried her body in woods near their home.

Police now hope that Bowen will reveal where her body is, and relatives are hopeful they will be able to hold a proper funeral service to lay her remains to rest.

Police say that before they can speak to him they have to negotiate with the prison services and psychotherapists.

No further details are known about exactly when they will get a chance to speak to him.

Detective Chief Inspector Terry Hapgood of Gwent Police said: "It has been confirmed that Michael Bowen has accepted responsibility for the death of Sandie Bowen.

"However, circumstances are still under investigation. Gwent Police are still making all efforts to recover the body and put the matter to rest and will not rest until we reach a conclusion.

It has been confirmed that Michael Bowen has accepted responsibility for the death of Sandie Bowen

Det Chief Insp Terry Hapgood, Gwent Police

"I would welcome the opportunity to speak to Michael Bowen on this matter," he said.

Mrs Bowen was supposed to be on her way to visit her daughter, Anita Coombes, in Kent on the day she went disappeared.

Bowen told police that he had given her a lift from their home in Llandogo, Monmouthshire, to catch the train at Newport station.

But traces of his blood were found on her pillow while samples of her blood were present on his shirts.

Forensic officers also found the burned remains of some of her belongings in the fireplace.

Crucially, Mrs Bowen's dentures were also discovered in the waste bin.

The Bowens' marriage was in trouble, and Bowen discovered that his wife was having an affair with the boss of the guesthouse where she worked as a catering assistant.

Mrs Bowen's body may be buried in local woodlands

He had also had an affair 18 months before his wife disappeared.

At the time, he told the police that his wife's relationship with her boss gave him the excuse to "get out of a bad marriage" and was not upset by it.

However, during his trial at Newport Crown Court the prosecution claimed that it had made him "angry and resentful".

Two years after Mrs Bowen disappeared, her family held a service of thanksgiving at the church in Folkestone, Kent, where she used to sing in the choir before she married Bowen in 1993.