Family’s Christmas torment as police offer £20,000 reward to find remains of ‘kind and loving’ woman, 48, after man is charged with her murder
- Fiona Holm was last seen on Verdant Lane, Lewisham on June 20, 2023
- Officers believe Ms Holm was murdered before the killer disposed of her body
Published: 09:30, 23 December 2023 | Updated: 09:51, 23 December 2023
Scotland Yard has released CCTV footage of a woman, 48, who they believe was murdered shortly after it was filmed in June, 2023 and have offered a GBP20,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of her remains.
Detectives investigating the disappearance of Fiona Holm, 48, say she was last seen leaving an address on Verdant Lane in Lewisham on June 20, 2023.
The five-second clip shows Ms Holm walking along the street. Officers believe she was murdered a short time later. They are appealing for the public’s help to recover her remains.
A reward of GBP20,000 has been offered for information leading to the discovery of her body.
Police arrested Carl Cooper, 65, on suspicion of two murders.
He is accused of killing Ms Holm. At the time of her death he was on bail having been charged on suspicion of murdering Naomi Hunte, 41.
Fiona Holm, pictured, went missing on Verdant Lane, Lewisham, south London in June
One of the last confirmed sightings of Ms Holms was in this Off Licence
According to the Metropolitan Police: ‘Fiona was reported missing on 29 June 2023. A murder investigation was launched after it became clear that she had not been seen alive after she left a residential address in Verdant Lane on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.’
Officers spend several months since her disappearance searching locations that she was known to frequent as well as contacting hospitals in case she had been admitted following an accident or illness.
However, the team investigating her disappearance believe Ms Holm has been murdered.
A spokesperson for her family appealed for information: ‘As a family we are facing our first Christmas since Fiona was murdered, and we are tormented by the fact that her body has not been found.
‘Somebody out there has the information police need to bring Fiona home, so we can say our final goodbyes and try and find some peace.
We are living in mental torture.
‘It is difficult enough for us to come to terms with Fiona’s murder this Christmas, but not knowing where her remains are is an even greater ordeal. We need to be able to lay her to rest. We need to have a funeral.
‘We just hope that someone has the decency to put us out of our misery and provide police with the information they need to recover Fiona’s body, and allow her and us to rest.
In a five-second clip, Ms Holms is is seen walking along the pavement. There is nobody following her
‘Fiona was a kind and loving person who would do anything for anyone.
Nothing was too much trouble for her to help a friend. We need someone to show that same kindness to us, and come forward with information.
‘Please if anyone knows anything, no matter how small it may seem, get in touch with police.’
Police arrested a 65-year-old man shortly after her disappearance and charged him with her murder on July 13.
He remains in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said: ‘Fiona’s family are facing not only their first Christmas without her, but also not knowing where she is.
‘I am keen to hear from anyone who saw Fiona since she was last seen in Verdant Lane, SE6 in June this year. We are piecing together a timeline of what may have been her last movements, and your information, no matter how small, could help us establish what happened to her and where she is.
‘Have you heard, or do you know anything concerning where her remains could be found?
Even if it is just rumour, please share that information with us – you may even be eligible for a cash reward.
‘Fiona was a mixed race woman, aged 48 when she was last seen alive. The footage we have released of her in Verdant Lane shows what she was wearing when she was last seen. Do you remember seeing her?
Do you know Fiona and know anything about what was happening in her life?
If you can help, please do get in touch.’
If you saw Fiona or have information concerning her disappearance you can provided information via our information portal.
Alternatively, call 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 22MIS023317.
To remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.
References
- ^ Darren Boyle (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Crime (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Police (www.dailymail.co.uk)