Body found in police search for missing 45-year-old woman from Kent

Police have found a body while investigating the disappearance of a 54-year-old woman from Kent and a man in his 20s remains in custody on suspicion of her murder.

Claire Knights, from Upstreet near Canterbury, was last seen in the village on August 23 and was believed to be walking her dog from there to Minnis Bay in Birchington.

Kent Police said they found a body in a location near Minnis Bay at 7pm on Friday and the family of Ms Knights have been informed.

A man in his 20s from Margate has been arrested and held on suspicion of murder.

Ms Knights’ white and brown spaniel called Zebulon was found on Minnis Bay on Wednesday – the day she was last seen.

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A Kent Police spokesman said that the death was being treated as suspicious and there will be an increased police presence in the area while an investigation is underway.

He said: “Officers have attended a location near Minnis Bay, Birchington, where a woman was found deceased.

“Kent Police was alerted by a member of the public shortly after 7pm on Friday August 25 2023 and patrols are currently at the scene.

“Formal identification has not yet taken place, however, the family of a 54-year-old woman reported missing from Upstreet on Wednesday August 23 are aware.

“The death is being treated as suspicious and on Thursday August 24, a man in his 20s from Margate was arrested on suspicion of murder.

“There will be an increased police presence in the area while investigations into the circumstances are under way.”