THE prime suspect in the murder of Leah Croucher, who vanished while walking to work in February 2019, has been named by police as Neil Maxwell, who killed himself in April 2019, Thames Valley Police said.

Earlier this week, detectives searching for Leah found human remains at a home in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes.

Officers began searching the house after a tip-off from a member of the public on Monday and a murder probe was soon launched after Leah’s rucksack and other belongings were found.

Police have since discovered human remains found in the loft of the property at Loxbeare Drive in Furzton, Milton Keynes, Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter, Thames Valley Police’s head of crime, said.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter told a press conference in Milton Keynes today (October 14) that Maxwell was believed to have been the only person with keys to the house where remains were found while the owners were away.

He had been employed by the home owner to carry out some property maintenance at the house.

Maxwell had previous convictions for sexual offences against women and was wanted in connection with a sexual assault in Newport Pagnell in November 2018, the force said.

Thames Valley Police were asked if it was possible that Maxwell had targeted Ms Croucher after seeing her as she was walking to work on a route that took her close to the property.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter told a press conference in Milton Keynes: “This inquiry was always extremely challenging. If we go back to Buzzacott Lane and the CCTV at 8.16am on February 15 2019 – there were no further lines of inquiry that helped us from there.

“Of course, Leah’s route to work has always been subject to intense scrutiny throughout our investigation. (There were) 4,000 properties visited and CCTV that we were able to obtain has been viewed.

“At this stage, it is of course an active line of our inquiry – did Leah walk past that house and some sort of action took place? That is exactly what the investigation team are going to try and establish.”

The police chief confirmed during the visits to those 4,000 properties, number 2 Loxbeare Drive was visited on at least two occasions. However, there was no response at the unoccupied house.

Maxwell was found dead on 20 April, 2019, having taken his own life.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter continued: "If Maxwell were alive today, we would be seeking his arrest in connection with this investigation, so he could be interviewed under caution to provide his account.

"As such, today I am appealing to anyone who had contact with Maxwell between November 2018 and his death in April 2019 or anyone who has information that might help our inquiry to contact Thames Valley Police. 

"If you have any information please contact us by visiting our website or calling 101, quoting ‘Op Innsbruck’.

"If you do not wish to speak directly with police, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

He added: “I cannot even begin to imagine what it is like for Leah’s parents and family, for three years and eight months not knowing what has happened to their daughter and loved one.

“All of the investigation team who are working on this case are dedicated to finding the truth for Leah’s family.”