'ABSOLUTE DIAMOND'
Missing mum-of-two’s ‘devastated’ family pay tribute to ‘beautiful big sister’ as cops find body
THE devastated family of a missing mum today paid tribute to their "beautiful big sister" after cops confirmed they had found a body.
Katie Kenyon, 33, was last seen at 9.30am last Friday, leaving a home in Burnley with a man before travelling in a silver van.
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Cops this week said they were working on the basis that the mum-of-two was no longer alive and Andrew Burfield, 50, was charged with her murder.
In a tragic development today, Lancashire Police confirmed they had found the body of a woman in the Forest of Bowland, Lancs., after receiving "new information".
Tributes have since poured in for much-loved Katie, with friends and family paying their respects.
Katie's sister, Jenny, wrote on Facebook: "Will love you forever and always my beautiful big sister."
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She added: "Can’t thank everybody enough for the support you have all shown for beautiful Katie and Katie’s beautiful children."
A close friend said: "I can’t even tell you how devastating this has been to a family who are so tight knit.
"Katie, you are absolutely beautiful, you are so loved by your sisters, your mum (your absolute twin joined at the hip!) your nieces, nephews, your entire family. But most of all, your children.
"Gorgeous gorgeous girl! An absolute diamond and clearly loved by so many people."
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Another wrote: "Such a beautiful lady - so so sorry - was keeping everything crossed for a different outcome - hope justice is served."
Someone else added: "Definitely the worst news ever to wake up to.
"Fly high Katie you beautiful woman!"
Lancashire Police today said Katie's family were being supported by officers.
Meanwhile, a Home Office post-mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of the mum's death.
Will love you forever and always my beautiful big sister.
Jenny Kenyon
The force said in a statement: "We can sadly confirm that our officers searching for missing Katie Kenyon have found the body of a woman.
"Our officers made the discovery last night (Friday, April 29) in an area of the Forest of Bowland after receiving new information about a location where Katie could be.
"At this stage although we are not in a position to formally confirm the woman’s identity, we do believe the body is that of Katie."
Det Supt Gary Brooks, head of Lancashire’s Force Major Investigation Unit, added: “Following extensive police enquiries and after a number of days of searching I can now sadly confirm that we have found a body and at this time we believe it to be that of Katie Kenyon.
“I would like to thank the public and the media for all the help they have given us during what has been a protracted, complex and very emotive search and I would also like to thank both the partner agencies and all of the police officers and staff who have been involved in the search for Katie.
"While this is not the conclusion to those searches any of us would have wished for I know the family appreciate those efforts."
The tragic find comes after Andrew Burfield, 50, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday charged with Katie's murder.
A trial date was fixed for November 14 but no pleas were entered.
Burfield was remanded in custody to appear at the same court on August 22.
'TAKEN AWAY TOO SOON'
It comes after Katie's family yesterday paid tribute to the "beloved" mum as they launched a page to raise funds for her children.
They wrote: "On Friday the 22nd April, our heartbreaking nightmare began when our Katie was taken away from her children and family far too soon.
"We as family are putting together this justgiving page for Katie to have the best send off that Katie deserves & for Katie's son and daughter & their future to fulfill Katie's dreams she had planned with her children.
"As we know you all want to help, this would be the most appreciated way. Any donations will be truly, gratefully received.
"Thank you for all your kind words and support. We know you're all behind us."
FRANTIC SEARCH
A woman matching the missing mum-of-two’s description was seen travelling with a man in the Transit to Bolton by Bowland near Gisburn Forest.
Police released a picture of the van, which has the number plate MT57 FLC.
Specialist officers were seen trawling the woodland for clues as they stepped up the search for Katie.
Police set up forensic tents in the woodland after receiving a tip-off about the van.
And worried neighbours previously told how Katie’s disappearance was “completely out of character”.
One said: “She’s a very family-oriented person and loves her two children and it’s completely out of character for her to disappear.
“Most of her time is spent with her kids and walking her dog. She’s into spiritual things too.
“She’s a lovely person and always says ‘hello’.
“I last saw her Wednesday morning when she was going to the shop.”
Christine Marshall, 62, described Katie as someone who “doted” on her children.
“She’s lived on this road for many, many years,” she said.
“It’s totally out of character for her to disappear like this.
“She’s always very friendly and I last saw on Thursday as she was going to her car.
“At first, I didn’t realise it was her who’d gone missing.
“For her, the kids come first and they must feel terrible at the moment."
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Police are appealing for anyone who was in Bolton by Bowland who may have seen Katie or the van to get in touch.
Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting log 800 of April 24th.
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