Human remains found in search for murdered woman

Police searching for the body of a murdered woman have found human remains in a field.

Julie Buckley, who was 54 when she disappeared, was last seen shopping in the town of March in Cambridgeshire on 28 January and, after concerns for her welfare were raised in early February, police found bloodstains at her home in nearby Christchurch.

Karl Hutchings, 48, of The Hill in Christchurch, initially denied her murder but earlier this week changed his plea to guilty.

Detectives investigating the murder received information from Hutchings' defence team about a potential burial site and, following searches, found remains off Blue Lane in Wimblington. They have yet to formally identify the remains.

Cambridgeshire Police believe Hutchings killed Ms Buckley on 30 January, then used her bank cards and sold her possessions.

The force said a post-mortem examination would take place next week.

"Julie's family have been made aware of this significant update and are being supported by specially trained officers," said Det Ch Insp Richard Stott.

Hutchings is due to be sentenced on 24 October.

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