Leah Croucher, who disappeared in 2019 and was found three years later, sparks investigation into failings of police and probation services. Inquest to scrutinize admitted shortcomings in the case.
Police and probation services have acknowledged failings in the case of Leah Croucher, a 19-year-old who disappeared while walking to work in Milton Keynes on February 15, 2019. Leah’s body was discovered over three years later, in October 2022, less than half a mile from where she was last seen, after a tip-off from a member of the public.
Neil Maxwell, a previously-convicted sex offender, was identified as the prime suspect but had killed himself in April 2019 while evading police. Senior coroner Tom Osborne announced in a pre-inquest review that the inquest would scrutinize these admitted failings, though specific details have not been disclosed publicly. Internal reviews have produced around 250 documents regarding the Thames Valley Police investigation.
The Croucher family has been represented pro bono by Caroline Haughey KC, who highlighted the trauma and online vitriol the family faced during the investigation. The inquest is scheduled for June 19 and 20.