The case into the disappearance of Leah Croucher has been one that has been ongoing for several years now, which has now changed from a missing persons case into a murder probe.

Thames Valley Police found items belonging to Leah Croucher in a house in Buckinghamshire and have subsequently launched a murder investigation based on their findings.

Police said officers received information from a member of public on Monday, October 10, relating to a house in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes.

Forensic investigations have been carried out in the property and items including a rucksack and personal possessions belonging to Leah Croucher have been found.

Bucks Free Press: Belongings of Leah Croucher were found in a house in Buckinghamshire (Thames Valley Police/PA)Belongings of Leah Croucher were found in a house in Buckinghamshire (Thames Valley Police/PA) (Image: Thames Valley Police/PA)

Leah was reported missing on February 15, 2019 with a huge police operation having been in place to try and find her without success.

Here's a timeline of events leading up to the Thames Valley Police discovery.

Leah Croucher disappearance: Timeline of events

First reported missing - February 15, 2019

Leah Croucher, 19, was first reported missing on February 15, 2019, after she had left her home in Emerson Valley at around 8 am to begin her two-mile walk to work in Knowlhill.

She did not arrive for her 9 am shift and her parents reported her missing in the evening after she did not return home.

CCTV showed that Leah was walking in the direction of her work at 8.16 am on Buzzacott Lane in Furzton.

Press conference appeals for information - February 22, 2019

A press conference was held a week later after Leah was reported missing, with parents Claire and John Croucher appealing for any information.

Both parents described Leah's disappearance as “highly unusual”.

Thames Valley Police said here that a dedicated team of 50 officers were involved in the missing person investigation and that they had knocked on more than 4,000 doors in Milton Keynes as part of the inquiry.

They also said there had been two unconfirmed sightings of a woman in the area of the Teardrop Lakes at approximately 8.45 am on February 15.

Fresh appeal launched - March 1, 2019

A fresh appeal for information was launched by Thames Valley Police two weeks after Leah's disappearance as there had been no further confirmed sightings and searches had not revealed anything.

£5,000 reward offered for help in finding Leah - March 20, 2019

Claire and John Croucher spoke about their daughter's disappearance and hoped that a £5,000 reward, given by an anonymous donor, would encourage someone to come forward with key information.

By this point, visits had been made to over 4,000 homes as part of the investigation.

This included the Major Crime Unit, specialist search teams, the mounted section, police dogs, the marine unit, and the National Police Air Service taking part in extensive searches across the city.

Around 1,500 hours of CCTV footage had also been analysed as well but it could not determine where Leah had gone.

Police search Blue Lagoon lake - October 9, 2019

Police begin searching the Blue Lagoon lake in the south of Milton Keynes, after a member of the public described seeing a grey hooded top in the area.

Officers thought the item of clothing may be linked to Leah, who was last seen wearing a grey “Stewartby” taekwondo hoodie.

Blue Lagoon lake search is concluded - October 25, 2019

Thames Valley Police finish searching the Blue Lagoon lake, finding nothing that links the missing teenager to the area.

One year anniversary of the disappearance - February 14, 2020

On the one-year anniversary of Leah's disappearance, her parents once again appealed for any information that could answer their questions about what happened to her.

Thames Valley Police revealed that a reward for any information about Leah's whereabouts had also doubled to £10,000 by this point.

Police said they are unable to rule out that Leah came to harm after she “effectively vanished into thin air” on her way to work.

Fresh appeal launched on Leah's 22 birthday - August 14, 2021

Thames Valley Police issued a further appeal reminding the public that their investigation was still open and that they were still seeking any information about Leah's whereabouts.

Leah Croucher's parents condemn 'hurtful' rumours made about Leah's disappearance - February 15, 2022

On the third anniversary of Leah's disappearance Claire and John Croucher spoke out about "hurtful" rumours about Leah going missing.

Police also released a new CCTV image which may have been of Leah from Fuzton Lake, showing a figure dressed in black, and appealed for information if people recognised themselves in the image.

Items belonging to Leah found in Buckinghamshire house - October 10, 2022

Police said officers received information from a member of public on Monday, October 10, relating to a house in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes, and found items belonging to Leah Croucher in there.

Murder investigation launched into Leah Croucher's disappearance and human remains found - October 12, 2022

Thames Valley Police launch a murder probe after finding Leah's belongings.

On the same day that happens police say they have found human remains at a property in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes where Leah's belongings were discovered.