Police plea over body mystery

Claire Harvey was reported missing in January 1985

Police investigating an unexplained death are appealing for help in tracing a woman who has been missing for more than 18 years.

Claire Harvey was in her mid to late 40s when she was reported missing on 18 January 1985.

Her last known address was in accommodation in the Writtle Agricultural College near Chelmsford, Essex.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Dell, who is leading the missing person inquiry, is also investigating the unexplained death of a woman about 20 years ago.

The bones of a woman were found by a member of the public walking in the woods in Hatch Forest, Woodford, Essex, on 21 March this year.

We have therefore been combing through missing persons records from that era both in London and Essex and this has led us to Claire Harvey Detective Chief Inspector Dell

Despite extensive tests and detailed inquiries, officers have not been able to establish a cause of death or who she is.

Two post mortem examinations proved inconclusive.

However forensic tests determined that the bones were those of a woman who was over 40 and that she had probably been dead for about 20 years.

A purse containing a few coins was found near the bones. One was dated 1980 and there were several halfpennies.

There were also fragments of a red jacket with brass buttons, a belt with a large brass buckle and black shoes with wedge-shaped heels and a gold chain across the front.

Detective Chief Inspector Dell said: "We have carried out extensive inquiries to find out who this woman was and how she died.

Combing records

"We have therefore been combing through missing persons records from that era both in London and Essex and this has led us to Claire Harvey.

"I would like to hear from anyone who has any information about her whereabouts or knows what happened to her.

"While I am not necessarily linking her disappearance with the death, I need to be able to eliminate her from that inquiry."

Anyone with information about either investigation should contact the Metropolitan Police Serious Crime Directorate (South) on 020 8217 6530 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.