A MAN has denied murdering a missing woman whose body has still not been found two months after she vanished.
Julie Buckley, 54, was last seen in the village of Christchurch in Cambridgeshire at the end of January.
Julie Buckley was last seen in January[/caption]
Police believe she has come to “serious harm” and launched a no body murder investigation.
Karl Hutchings appeared at Cambridge Crown Court charged with a murdering Julie between January 20 and January 31.
The 47-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded into custody
Hutchings, of Christchurch, will next appear at the same court on September 29 for a four-week trial.
Cambridge Police last week confirmed tests were being carried out on hair discovered in a waterway close to where Julie vanished.
Specialist diving teams have been searching water along the Sixteen Foot Drain between Bedlam Bridge and Boots Bridge.
A fisherman made the grim discovery in the same area – sparking a new trawl.
Officers also revealed blood found at an address linked to Julie was confirmed as hers.
Det Insp Rich Stott said: “We strongly believe Julie may have come to harm and we’re carrying out thorough searches of the area.
“Our dive teams have been searching the water around the Bedlam Bridge and Boots Bridge areas and a fisherman discovered what we believe to be human hair in the water.
“We’re awaiting results from that hair to ascertain if it belongs to Julie.”
Julie was last seen on CCTV footage at a Budgens supermarket in the nearby town of March on January 28.
Two bungalows eight miles apart were also previously sealed off in connection with the investigation.
Police are still appealing for any information about Julie’s whereabouts and is urging anyone who has seen her in recent weeks to get in touch.
Det Insp Stott said: “We’re issuing a widespread appeal today to ask for anyone with information to please come forward, as well as anyone with dashcam footage from the March and Christchurch areas, particularly around Bedlam Bridge and Boots Bridge, on January 29 and 30.
“We’re also appealing to dog walkers, fishermen, farmers and land owners in the area.
“If you notice disturbed land or anything unusual or out of place, please report it to us.”
The last sighting of Julie in a supermarket buying loo roll on January 28[/caption]
Police have been searching waterways[/caption]
