Southend: Arrest made over disappearance of Patricia Finnie

Officers investigating the disappearance of Patricia Finnie have completed search activity at Hockley Woods.

Specialist officers and staff started search work at the woods on Tuesday after a man in his 70s was arrested on suspicion of Patricia’s murder.

Patricia was 64 when she went missing from Southend on 11 May 2017.

She was last seen in the Bellevue area at around midday having been to visit a friend in Riviera Drive earlier in the day.

Her disappearance has been reviewed by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and is now being treated as a homicide.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, Head of Major Crime, said:

“We have now completed search activity at Hockley Woods and it is completely open for the public again.

“This was painstaking work and we recovered a number of items and work remains ongoing to ascertain if they are linked to Patricia’s disappearance.

“Our investigation into what happened to Patricia is continuing and I still need anyone who has information to contact us.”

A man in his 70s arrested on suspicion of Patricia’s murder is on bail until 10 September.

If you have any information about where she is or what has happened to her, you can report it through a special online portal which has been set up.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Wednesday 14 June

Detectives have been given more time to question a man arrested on suspicion of the murder of Patricia Finnie.

Patricia was 64 years-old when she went missing on 11 May 2017.

She was last seen at around midday in the Bellevue area having gone to visit a friend at an address in Riviera Drive earlier in the day.

Following a review from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, we are now treating her disappearance as a homicide.

A man in his 70s was arrested yesterday and officers have been given more time to question him.

Specialist search teams have been carrying out search activity at Hockley Woods and that work is also continuing.

We are appealing for anyone who has any information about Patricia’s disappearance to contact us.

If you have any information about where she is or what has happened to her, you can report it through a special online portal which has been set up here.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Tuesday 13 June

A man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Patricia Finnie.

Patricia was 64 when she went missing from Southend on 11 May 2017.

She was last seen at around midday in the Bellevue area having gone to visit a friend at an address in Riveria Drive earlier in the day.

The circumstances around Patricia going missing has been reviewed by specialist detectives in the years since and we are now treating her disappearance as a homicide.

Today (Tuesday 13 June) a man in his 70s man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder and he is currently in custody.

An area of Hockley Woods is also being searched and that work will continue over the next few days.

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, Head of Major Crime, said:

“Patricia is a mother and grandmother and her disappearance has had a really big impact on her family.

“They understandably have questions about what’s happened to her, and we’re committed to doing everything we can to provide them with answers.

“There is a team of dedicated detectives and staff working hard to establish what happened to Patricia and bring those responsible to justice.

“Patricia disappeared on 11 May 2017 and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

“Her disappearance has been reviewed by specialist detectives.

“As a result of that review, they have concluded that Patricia is no longer alive and her death is being treated as a homicide.”

Det Supt Kirby added that he needs anyone with information about what’s happened to Patricia to come forward.

He said:

“It is now six years ago but I believe people will have seen Patricia on 11 May and have information which will help give her family the answers they need.

“If you saw or have any information about what has happened to her I need you to come forward and tell us.

“If you don’t want to speak to us, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and remain completely anonymous.”

If you have any information about where she is or what has happened to her, you can report it through a special online portal which has been set up.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.