Angela Millington's face had 'gaffer tape mask'

A homeless woman whose body was found washed up on an island had been wearing a "mask of gaffer tape", detectives have revealed.

The remains of Angela Millington, from Southend, were found on Foulness Island nearly two years ago by ramblers.

A mask made of strong, adhesive tape was found near her body, Essex Police said.

As first reported in The Echo newspaper, external, it is not clear if the mask was put on before or after her death.

Read this and more stories from Essex

Ms Millington, 33, was last seen in February 2014. Her body was found four months later.

Officers are re-appealing for information as it nears the second anniversary of her body being discovered.

In a film, external posted by the force on Facebook, Det Ch Insp Simon Werrett said: "Someone out there knows what happened to Angela".

He said Ms Millington led a "chaotic" lifestyle and had both lived with her partner in Southend and on the streets of the town.

"At the moment we don't know how she died, we've got only skeletal remains," he said.

"What was found near her was a mask of gaffer tape, which was around her face, we don't know if that was before or after death it was put on."

Foulness is a remote island off the Essex coast used as a weapons testing site by the Ministry of Defence, although part of it is accessible to the public.

Det Ch Insp Werrett added due to security on the island, it was "likely" Ms Millington entered the water on the seafront and her body was washed up by tidal waves.

Two men arrested in connection with the murder investigation were released without charge.

Crimestoppers have put up a reward for £10,000 for information leading to finding her killer.