Body found in woods during search for missing 50-year-old woman in Buckinghamshire
Death in Lucas Wood treated as unexplained but not suspicious; identification pending; coroner file to be prepared as police continue to support Fay's family.
A body has been found in a wooded area in Buckinghamshire during the search for Fay, a 50-year-old woman who vanished more than a week ago.
Fay was reported missing on Friday, September 12, sparking an intensive search in and around High Wycombe. She was last seen walking down Totteridge Road at 10:41 a.m. that day. Thames Valley Police later found her car abandoned on Hillary Road, less than a mile away, and believe she was travelling on foot. CCTV footage released by the force showed her wearing a grey top with a black cardigan, black trousers and black boots, and carrying a grey and cream coloured bag.
The body was found in the Lucas Wood area following searches conducted by Thames Valley Police and Buckinghamshire Lowland Search & Rescue volunteers. While officers wait for a formal identification, the force believes it is Fay and relatives have been informed and are being supported by specialist teams. The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.
Inspector Hayley McEvoy, based at High Wycombe police station, said the force had been “extremely concerned for Fay's welfare and we have been working hard to find her since she was reported missing yesterday.” The investigation remains ongoing as officers await the Coroner’s ruling and determine the precise circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Police described the search as a coordinated effort involving officers, detectives, and volunteers from Buckinghamshire Lowland Search & Rescue, who conducted ground sweeps across likely routes Fay could have taken after leaving her home. The families of Fay have been offered specialist support services as investigators review CCTV records, phone data, and other potential leads to establish a timeline in the days since her disappearance. Authorities reiterated that there are no confirmed indications of foul play at this stage, but they are proceeding with the investigation as a precaution and with sensitivity to those affected.
The case has drawn attention to missing-person operations within the region, where rapid identification of a body and careful handling of the crime scene are standard procedures. Officials emphasized that the coroner will determine the cause and manner of death after reviewing autopsy results and all available evidence. In the meantime, Fay’s relatives remain in contact with investigators and are receiving emotional and logistical support from police family liaison officers and counseling resources. As the inquiry continues, authorities urged anyone with information related to Fay’s movements on September 12 or in the hours after to come forward to aid the inquiry.