Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Woodgate, who went missing from Tunbridge Wells last Thursday, have received new information from local residents who reported seeing a very clean, small white van in the area where his body was discovered. The van was spotted on Monday parked in a layby near Peasmarsh, East Sussex, where police later located the body during their search.
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Wayne Woodgate, who disappeared last week, was last seen in CCTV footage at the Opera House Wetherspoon in Tunbridge Wells. Authorities previously reported that he was seen entering a van on Goods Station Road before his disappearance. Today, officers searched a rural location in Peasmarsh, where they found a body believed to be Mr Woodgate. Although formal identification has yet to take place, his family has been informed.
A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody as the investigation continues.
One local resident, who lives near Peasmarsh, reported seeing a small white van that caught his attention due to its unusually clean appearance. “Normally, when vehicles use the layby in this area for fly-tipping, they are dirty, but this one stood out,” he said. The information has been passed on to officers guarding the scene.
Police have also received reports from other motorists who approached officers at the scene this afternoon, providing additional details about the white van.
Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or who may have dashcam footage of the area around the time Mr Woodgate was last seen to come forward. Authorities are determined to gather as much evidence as possible to piece together the events leading up to his disappearance.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is encouraged to contact Kent Police or use the Major Incident Public Portal to upload any relevant footage.
