It is with great sadness that I share this press release from West Midlands Police, who report that a body has been found following the prolonged search for missing Moxley lady Amanda Hawkins, who was last seen in Brownhills.
My condolences, and those of the readership, are extended to all concerned.
Amanda Hawkins. Picture from west Midlands Police.
Body found in search for missing Walsall woman
Officers searching for missing Walsall woman Amanda Hawkins have been notified by Staffordshire Police of the discovery of a body in a field in Burntwood.The 44-year-old from Darlaston went missing from her assisted accommodation complex on Sutton Road, Moxley, on Friday 30 May. She was last seen getting off a bus in Lichfield Road at the junction of Barnetts Lane in Brownhills at around 4pm.Police were called at around 6.20pm last night (Tues) after a body was found on farmland off Meerash Lane, Burntwood.The body is believed to be that of Amanda Hawkins, however further tests and a post mortem examination will take place in due course to confirm the identity and a cause of death.
Amanda’s family have been informed of the latest developments and are continuing to be assisted by specialist liaison officers.
Amanda, who experienced mental ill health, required daily medication and suffered from memory loss. She had been missing several times before.
Ever since her disappearance, officers had been searching for Amanda whose family had made emotional appeals for the public’s help in tracing their loved one.
Hours of CCTV footage were scrutinised by officers and acres of land searched on foot and from the air. Police sniffer dogs had also been involved in the search for Amanda and other forces across the county alerted to her disappearance. House to house enquiries were conducted with thousands of flyers and appeal posters distributed across Walsall and beyond. Amanda’s details were also distributed across all West Midlands Police Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wilkes, from Walsall Police, said: “While the deceased is yet to be formally identified, preliminary inquiries lead us to believe that this may be Amanda. That is why we have told her family of the discovery by colleagues in Staffordshire Police.
“The thoughts of all our officers remain with them today.”
An investigation following yesterday’s discovery is now underway by Staffordshire Police and the death is being treated as unexplained.
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Such a sad outcome. My condolences to her family who have been through so much and now have to deal with this. You are in my thoughts.
Terribly sad news. Deepest sympathy to the family.
Awful and very very sad.
Thoughts and condolences to Amanda’s family.
What a very sad outcome.condolences to all the family.
It’s a very sad and troubling outcome and my thoughts go to the family of Amanda.
Peter
Thank you for everyone’s lovely comments. Amanda was my dear cousin who us sadly missed by all the family especially her mother and brother. A life lost through financial cuts to mental health funding, leaving amanda no option but to be forced into ‘independent living’ a very irresponsible decision. Amandawas extremely vulnerable , she had spent 25 years in assisted units where her medication was administered, daily living and tasks shared between other service users, friendships made, and support 24/7, her safety paramount at all times. Despite challenging the decision to put amanda into a flat of her own, and despite voicing concerns based on her history it appeared the only way to be heard is when it is too late.
My auntie and my cousin (Amanda’s mom and brother) supported Amanda daily and dedicated their entire lives to her, who due to illness was often quite difficult to manage. Its heartbreaking to to know they lost Amanda so tragically, despite putting every procedure they could in place to keep her safe. I’m do proud of my auntie and cousin for their unconditional devotion.
God bless Amanda, may your mind be rested and your soul at peace xxx