LAST UPDATE | 4 Aug 2018
POLICE IN ENGLAND investigating the disappearance of a missing midwife say that a body has been found during searches in a rural area of Stoke-On-Trent.
Three men are now in custody in connection with Samantha Eastwood’s disappearance.
The investigation has now been upgraded to a homicide investigation. Forensic teams are at the scene where the body – which has to be formally identified – was found.
Samantha Eastwood (28) was last seen leaving work after her night shift at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Staffordshire at 7.45am on Friday 27 July.
She did not return for her next night shift later that day at 7pm and after colleagues raised concerns she was reported missing to police.
As part of the investigation, a 32-year-old man from Stoke-On-Trent was arrested in the Hanley area on Sunday 29 July on suspicion of kidnap.
He was released on bail but has now been re-arrested for murder. Two other men aged 28 and 60 have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Specialist officers are now supporting Samantha Eastwood’s family following the discovery.
Staffordshire Police officers said it is completely out of character for Eastwood, who lives in the Stockton Brook area, not to be in contact with family and friends and also for her not to turn up at work.
Her disappearance is being investigated by a team of detectives from the force’s Major and Organised Crime Department.
Today, specialist search teams have been combing an area of Caverswall as part of their search for the missing midwife.
Officers cordoned off a section of the area and have been carrying out painstaking searches in their effort to find anything which brings them closer to Eastwood.
“Today’s extensive searches are part of the ongoing investigation, which has officers and staff working round the clock in an effort to find anything which brings us closer to finding Samantha,” Detective Superintendent Simon Duffy said earlier today.
I am calling on any member of the public with any information, however small and insignificant it may seem.
Appeal
The sister of Samantha Eastwood made an emotional appeal to find her earlier this week.
“Samantha is a happy, bubbly and smiley woman. She can be very straight and direct. She is my best friend and partner in crime. Without her, half of me has gone. Samantha, if you are listening please get in touch,” Gemma Eastwood said at a police press conference.
We all love you and miss you very much. We just need you home where you belong.
“Samantha is a fantastic woman and friend. She is warm, friendly, loyal, kind and generous with a great sense of humour.”
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police on 101, submit information online here, or to call UK Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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