Skeleton death cause a mystery

The former Aubrey Arms landlady disappeared in 1973

Following the identification of a skeleton found in a west Wales pub, police have yet to decide whether to begin a murder inquiry.

Dental checks have positively identified the skeleton found at the Aubrey Arms in Ystradgynlais, in the Swansea Valley, as a former landlady who went missing 27 years ago.

The disappearance of Barbara Maddock, who was then 45, sparked a massive police hunt.

Mrs Maddock's husband Bill said his wife had left him in 1973 to settle in Australia and he took over the running of the pub until his death 10 years ago.

Appeal

But until a cause of death is established, police are unsure whether or not to pursue a murder inquiry.

On Thursday, forensic dentist Dr David Whittaker, who carried out tests on the remains, said he had reached some tentative conclusions about their identity.

He said some teeth had been found in the skeleton and checks were being made of dental records.

Further forensic examinations are now to be carried out on the remains - which were found by building workers during renovation work - in a bid to find the cause of death.

It is not yet clear how long the skeleton may have been in the outbuilding.

The outhouse was used as a storage room for the pub up to 10 years ago, but has since been derelict.

Detectives have appealed for any delivery men or tradespeople who may have visited the building regularly to come forward.