Hunt Turns Grim as Katie Kenyon Believed Dead
The desperate search for missing mum Katie Kenyon has taken a dark turn. Police now fear the 33-year-old is no longer alive.
From Missing Person to Murder Probe
The inquiry has officially escalated from a missing person case to a homicide investigation.
A 50-year-old man arrested over Katie’s disappearance remains in custody tonight. Detectives are applying to Burnley Magistrates to extend his detention until 9pm tomorrow, Wednesday, April 27th.
Katie’s devastated family have been updated on this grim development and continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
Last Seen Leaving Burnley with Suspect
Katie was last spotted at around 9.30am on Friday, April 22nd, leaving an address on Todmorden Road, Burnley. She got into a silver Ford Transit van (registration MT57 FLC) with a man and headed towards the Bolton-by-Bowland area. She has not been seen since.
Police are urgently appealing to anyone who was in Bolton-by-Bowland, Gisburn Forest, or surrounding areas to come forward. Witnesses who saw Katie alone or with someone, or anyone with dashcam footage of the van, are asked to contact the police immediately.
Search Efforts Intensify Across Remote Terrain
More than 60 trained officers from Lancashire, Merseyside, North Wales, and Greater Manchester Police are scouring the vast, remote areas around Gisburn Forest. They are using specialists, aircraft, and advanced search equipment in a bid to find Katie.
The Salvation Army has set up a feeding station to support the search teams.
Detective Superintendent Gary Brooks, head of Lancashire’s Major Crime unit, said:
“While I hold some slim hope that Katie may still be found alive, she has now been missing for over four days. Despite extensive enquiries and media appeals, there have been no sightings.
“Katie’s family are understandably devastated, and our officers are supporting them throughout this difficult time. My thoughts are with them.”
“I thank the public for their help so far and urge anyone with even small bits of information to come forward. Although a man is in custody, our investigation is ongoing.”
“We are searching extensive remote locations, including Gisburn Forest, assisted by colleagues from other forces. However, I advise the public not to join the search. The terrain is large, remote, and without phone signal. Our trained professionals are handling it all. We do not want anyone else to come to harm.”
How to Help Find Katie
Katie is described as white, 33, 5ft 9in, with shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair featuring ginger highlights. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt or jacket, white vest top, black leggings, and flip-flops.
If you have any information, call Lancashire Police on 101, quoting log 800 of April 24th. Alternatively, use the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0401020119P01-PO1.
You can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
