https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10762163/Bermondsey-bloodbath-suspect-charged-four-murders.html

Bermondsey bloodbath suspect enters no plea as he faces four murder counts in court: Boyfriend, 28, is charged with killing lover, 29, her mother, 45, grandmother, 64 and her partner, 58, in knife attack south London home

    Joshua Jacques, 28, boyfriend of Samantha Drummonds, in court this morning
    Dolet Hill one of four people killed at a house in Bermondsey on Monday
    Retired nurse who was fighting cancer died alongside her partner Denton Burke
    Dolet's daughter Tanysha and granddaughter Samantha Drummonds also died
    Jacques remanded in custody. He will next appear at the Old Bailey on May 3

By Martin Robinson, Chief Reporter

Published: 07:31, 28 April 2022 | Updated: 14:40, 28 April 2022

The suspect accused of stabbing to death three generations of the same family was in the dock today after being charged with four counts of murder.  Joshua Jacques, 28, of Hither Green, south-east London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court this afternoon and was swept in in a white prison van at around 10am after arriving from Brixton jail.  As he was led away to the cells after being remanded in custody following a five-minute hearing where no pleas were entered, the defendant tapped his heart and made a salute with his finger to his aunt who was sitting in the public gallery.  Dolet Hill, 64, her husband, daughter and granddaughter were all stabbed to death at her home close to the Millwall football stadium.  Jacques, who was the boyfriend of Mrs Hill's murdered granddaughter Samantha Drummonds, 29, was arrested at the scene in the early hours of Monday.  Mrs Hill's husband Denton Burke, 58, and her daughter Tanysha Drummonds, a 45-year-old nurse, were also found dead at the address in Bermondsey.  Today the murder suspect appeared in the dock wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit and did not give any plea to the four murder charges during the five-minute hearing. He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.  When asked to confirm his address of Minard Road, Lewisham, he said: 'It was ....'

Jacques was charged on Thursday morning following an investigation by homicide detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command.  District Judge Daniel Sternberg said: 'Your case will next be heard at the Central Criminal Court on May 3 this year. I am required to remand you in custody.' 

Tracey Henry, 47, who is Mrs Hill's surviving daughter, said: 'We are in pieces. We are too upset to say any more and we're having a family meeting.'

Mrs Drummonds's grief-stricken husband, Danny Ofori-Akuffo, said the suspected knifeman was Tasered by officers after neighbours were alerted by screams and raised the alarm.  He said that his wife was there to care for her mother following surgery and that Miss Drummonds, 29, brought Jacques to the family home on Saturday to meet them all.  Mr Ofori-Akuffo phoned his wife at 11.30pm on Sunday and she told him she had dozed off on the sofa. 'Those were the last words I had with her. I still cannot believe it. It hasn't sunk in,' he added.

Pastor Lloyd Henry, of the family's New Testament Church of God in Dulwich, said Mrs Hill, a retired assistant in the pharmacy at St Guy's Hospital, had joined a mission to Ghana in 2017. 'They were a lovely, hard-working family who were really close and all supported each other,' he added. 'They were always together, it was a joy to see such a tight family. All of them were regular churchgoers and very active in the community.  Dolet would always cook for members of the congregation who needed it, she always cooked fish for us at Easter and she was so generous. She joined us on a mission to Ghana in 2017 to build a clinic in the village of Tarkwa Banso, which was so far away from any hospital and in desperate need of a medical facility.  Her granddaughter, Samantha, sang in the church choir with my daughter, who was the same age.'

Mr Burke's sister, Juleth Hutchinson, said the family 'did not deserve to die like this'.

The 62-year-old added: 'My brother was a nice, quiet and innocent man. He was always joking and smiling.'

Neighbours of Miss Drummonds, a former worker at NatWest, described her as a 'beautiful, sociable young girl who would bend over backwards to help anybody'.

Leanca Levy, 36, said: 'I am waiting for surgery and every time I was waiting for deliveries or shopping Samantha would carry my stuff up for me. She was just a delight.'

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mums-agony-son-21-who-25963342?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=daily_morning_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Mum's agony as son, 21, who was violently assaulted on night out is found hanged

In the aftermath of the assault in Pwllheli, Gwynedd, Twm Bryn Jones had become anxious, tearful and was struggling to sleep, his grieving mother said

By Mirror.co.uk

22:47, 16 Jan 2022Updated22:50, 16 Jan 2022

A grieving mother whose son was found hanged two months after he was assaulted is calling for the mental health impact of violent crimes to be incorporated into the criminal justice system.  Twm Bryn Jones, 21, was found dead in Chwilog on October 4. It was two months after he was assaulted during a night out in Pwllheli, Gwynedd.  An inquest was opened with a provisional cause of death given as hanging but the inquest has yet to be heard.  In the aftermath of the assault, Twm's mother Bethan Llwyd told North Wales Live her son had become anxious, tearful and was struggling to sleep.  She told how he lost weight and was afraid of returning to Pwllheli, locking himself in his car when he had to.  The family’s distress was further compounded when Twm’s death was not mentioned in court as two men were convicted for his assault.  Two days before Christmas, the pair both pleaded guilty to charges of causing actual bodily harm at Caernarfon magistrates court.  They were given a community order for 12 months, rehabilitation sessions for 20 days, told to undergo unpaid community service for 200 hours and ordered to pay £180 court fees.  Bethan spoke out because she wants people to understand that such attacks can have consequences that go beyond physical injury.  “The mental health impacts of these types of incidents are not measured by law,” she said.

“This needs to change. As well as actual bodily harm, victims can suffer actual mental harm, as we saw with Twm.  These days there is a huge focus on mental health as we become more aware of the effect it can have on society.  So it’s only right that the mental health impacts of assaults are given equal weighting to their physical impacts.  If people can be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress which is what Twm suffered it should be possible to incorporate this into the criminal charges that people face.”

Twm was attacked in the early hours of Sunday, July 25, 2021, as he waited for a taxi outside the newly reopened Venu hotspot in Pwllheli.  He had been enjoying a night out with his cousin Alun Williams, who was inside the Venu arranging the taxi.  Two men pulled up in their car and attacked Twm, kicking and punching him to the ground.  Bethan, who was awoken from her bed to take Twm to hospital, said the effect on her son was immediate.  Despite bravely agreeing to testify against the two men, his previously positive approach to life withered in the aftermath of the attack.  “He didn’t return to work for a week because of the concussion he suffered,” said Bethan.

“But when he did, his nerves were on edge.  He was reluctant to go back into Pwllheli. When he went to collect his girlfriend from her job at the end of her shift, he would lock himself in his car.”

Struggling to sleep, Twm began to lose weight and interest.  He even turned his back on cycling: as a member of Caernarfon Energy Cycling Club (Clwb Beicio Egni Caernarfon), he had been in training with high hopes for the 2022 race season.  “One night he did go back into Pwllheli with his friends but he called me, crying, saying he could not go on,” said Bethan.

“He disappeared and we had to involve the police, and check CCTV, before we were able to find him.  A few weeks later he had another breakdown in Pwllheli. He called his dad and was inconsolable, banging his head against a wall and saying, “when will it all end?””

Worried about his state of mind, family members gently encouraged him to seek counselling.  yThey were relieved when he self-referred to his GP and contact was made with mental health services.  He was prescribed medication and was due to start a course of counselling.  When Twm announced he was buying his own sheep, for the family’s impending move to a new farm near Criccieth, the family dared to believe the worst was over.  The sheep arrived at Ty’n Rhos farm a couple of weeks before his death.  He fought hard to self-cope,” said Bethan. “But underneath he was still struggling.”

On October 4 he met his brother and sister and all appeared well. That night, however, he was tearful again, telling his mother he was in turmoil.  “I sat with him and we talked,” said Bethan. 

“After a while he went up to his bedroom. I took him a cup of tea and offered to stay with him.  He said, “no, it’s fine Mum, I’m OK now”. So I went back downstairs.  Half an hour later he came down and said he was going out. He seemed better.”

Twm’s body was found by his father the next morning.  The family’s distress is mixed with anger over what they regard as the leniency the two offenders received.  “Twm lost everything, we lost our son and they both are walking around the area,” said Bethan.

In a close-knit community, there is also concern that the “full story” isn’t known by everyone: that Twm was a bright and happy lad until one isolated attack pushed his mental health into a downwards spiral.  Bethan hopes that, one day, the judicial system will evolve to include the mental health fall-out on victims of violent crime.  She’d like to play a part, but for now she needs to recover her own strength.  “I’m a nurse and I’ve done some counselling in the past,” she said.

“When I feel strong enough, I’d also like to get involved with the DPJ Foundation and help people who need it.”

The DPJ Foundation is a rural mental health charity set up by farmer’s wife Emma Picton-Jones following the death of her husband.  It was one of the beneficiaries of a regional fundraiser organised partly in memory of Twm just five days after his death.  Some 200 cyclists took part in an 18-mile “tour of Gwynedd”, collecting an incredible £40,000 for three good causes.

* If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/eastenders-max-bowden-supported-bbc-25597011?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=12at12_newsletter2&utm_medium=email&pure360.trackingid={~TrackingId~}

EastEnders' Max Bowden 'isn't doing great' as he's supported by BBC crew after tragedy

EastEnders star Max Bowden, who plays Ben Mitchell in the soap, has admitted he 'isn't doing great' after losing three friends in the last year as well as his grandfather in October, 2020

By Zara Woodcock Showbiz Reporter

09:31, 2 Dec 2021Updated10:05, 2 Dec 2021

EastEnders star Max Bowden has been supported by the crew at BBC after three of his friends tragically died.

The Ben Mitchell star admitted he 'isn't doing great' after going through a heartbreaking year so the team behind the scenes at the soap have been trying to help in any way they can.  He took to his Instagram Stories to share a picture of a card he received from the costume department.  The message read: "Hey Max, just wanted to say we know you're not great at the moment, but we are always here if you need a rant or a cry.  "Keep doing your best because we think you're great."

He captioned the sweet post: "I work with some amazing people."

The message was signed by the women at the EastEnders ' costume department, including Annie, Inca, Becky and Meg.  The star had gone on to explain how lost he feels and thanked his friend for always being by his side.  His friend Luke Goodings passed away several months before in June.  Alongside a picture of his friend Luke, Max wrote: "Heart’s in bits right now. Lukey, will always love you, my bro. Rest easy now. Freestyle the s*** out of it up there."

In February, his agent friend Terry Mills died after losing his battle to Covid in a hospital in Cancun, Mexico.  Terry fell into a coma while away from the UK and died from pneumonia.  In October 2020, Max revealed the tragic news that his grandfather had died from cancer.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brit-dad-57-killed-shark-25400089?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=daily_evening_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Brit dad, 57, killed by shark while swimming as horrified wife watched from shore

The couple were together with their adult children at the time of the attack, watching on as Mr Millachip swam at the popular beach as the shark struck

By Tom Ambrose

15:01, 7 Nov 2021 Updated 15:39, 7 Nov 2021

A British dad was killed by a great white shark as he swam in the sea off Western Australia, as his wife and kids tragically watched on from the shore.  Paul Millachip, 57, was attacked by the shark, with witnesses claiming it was around 14ft long, at around 10am local time on Saturday.  A large shark was reported to have been seen in the water before Mr Millachip was killed, according to 9News.  His wife, who asked not to be named, paid tribute to her husband and described him as a "wonderful man" and a "wonderful father" to the couple's two adult children, The Sun reported.  Mrs Millachip added that the attack off Port Beach in Fremantle “came out of the blue”, according to a report by news.com.au.  The family were together at the time of the attack, watching on as Mr Millachip swam at the popular beach as he often liked to do.  Mrs Millachip said a group of teenage boys witnessed the attack and rushed into the sea to warn other swimmers to move away from the danger.  It must have been an absolutely terrifying experience for them, so my heart goes out to them,” Mrs Millachip said.

“I thank them for what they did. Amazing. They could potentially have saved other lives.  Rest in peace Paul,” she added. “He died doing what he enjoyed doing the most, which was exercising.”

Emergency services were called to Port Beach at North Fremantle just after 10am on Saturday after reports of the attack on Mr Millachip.  The couple were originally from the UK and had been together for 35 years, she said. Mr Millachip was "super fit" and regularly took part in triathlons and marathons, she added.  “We had been going down to the beach two or three times a week we would go running first and then go swimming,” she said.

“He was due to swim for 1km on Saturday I just went into the water and out again because it was cold and I’m not a huge fan of the cold water.  He was a wonderful man, a wonderful father, and he loved his exercise.”

Police Inspector Troy Douglas said the search had been thorough and would only resume if there was “reason”.  “Inquiries will continue based on anything washed up or anything found,” he said.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10006293/Only-Fools-Horses-star-John-Challis-dies-aged-79.html

Only Fools and Horses star John Challis dies aged 79: Actor who played Boycie in hit sitcom passes away 'peacefully in his sleep' after long battle with cancer

    Only Fools And Horses star John Challis has died aged 79 'peacefully in his sleep' after battle with cancer
    Challis was best-known for his portrayal of second-hand car dealer Boycie in the beloved British sitcom
    He cancelled a 30-date speaking tour earlier this month after only one appearance due to ill health
    The TV star recently became an honorary citizen of Serbia, where the BBC sitcom remains hugely popular
    Challis, born in Bristol but grew up in London, was also known for playing Monty Staines in ITV's Benidorm

By Jack Wright For Mailonline

Published: 14:08, 19 September 2021 | Updated: 16:32, 19 September 2021

Only Fools And Horses star John Challis has died 'peacefully in his sleep' aged 79 after a long battle with cancer, his family have said.  Challis was best-known for his portrayal of second-hand car dealer Boycie a cigar-smoking businessman with a mocking laugh who butted heads with Del Boy in the beloved British sitcom, starring alongside Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.  He cancelled a 30-date speaking tour earlier this month after only one appearance due to ill health.  The TV star recently became an honorary citizen of Serbia, where the BBC sitcom remains hugely popular. Challis made the documentary Boycie In Belgrade, exploring why the show was so beloved in the Balkan country.  He was also known for playing Monty Staines in ITV's Benidorm.  Challis was born in Bristol but when he was one, the family moved to south-east London. He attended the state boarding Ottershaw School near Woking, Surrey - and upon leaving school he worked as a trainee estate agent before becoming an actor.  Sir David led tributes this afternoon, calling Challis 'a gentleman in the true sense of the word' and a 'dear friend'. He added in a statement that he was a 'wonderful actor' and that Boycie was 'a character so well loved by the many fans of that show so I am pleased that he witnessed the outpouring of admiration recently shown for the 40th anniversary of the first episode in 1981'. 

In a statement, Challis' family said: 'It is with heavy hearts that we bring you such sad news. Our dear friend and yours, John Challis, has died peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer.  'He will always be loved for being 'Boycie' and leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come. Please respect the privacy of John's family and friends at this difficult time, and be assured that in the future there will be an occasion to celebrate John's life when everyone will be welcome to come along.'

Sue Holderness, who played Boycie's wife Marlene in Only Fools And Horses, paid tribute to Challis as her 'beloved friend' adding, 'Marlene without Boycie it's unthinkable. John Challis was my partner on screen and stage for 36 years and my beloved friend. R.I.P. darling John. I will miss you every day.'

Jim Sullivan, the son of Only Fools creator John Sullivan, said Challis, 'brought his own unique touch to the character of Boycie' and described the much-loved actor as 'an immensely kind, witty and erudite man.'  He is survived by his fourth wife, Carol. Challis had no children but admitted his regret in 2011. He said: 'I'd have liked to have had a daughter and I think we would have been good parents.  It would have been nice to pass on all the stories and the experiences that I've had. Not that they'd take any bloody notice, of course. Like me.'

Challis' family said donations in his memory can be made to his chosen animal charities Cuan Wildlife Rescue, Tusk or the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Their statement added: 'As Boycie would have said you know it makes sense!'

The Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson tweeted: 'I've been waiting for this for a few days now. It is with great sadness that I tell you that my dear friend, John Challis (Boycie from OFAH) has just passed.  I've been in touch with his wife, Carol, who is obviously heartbroken, as am I. Much love, S.'

Actress Crissy Rock, who appeared in Benidorm with Challis, was among those paying tribute to the actor.  She said on Twitter: 'I am heartbroken to hear the news that the legendary actor @BeingBoycie has sadly passed away. John you were a true gentleman and always so loving and supportive towards me. I am thinking of your family and close friends at this hard time. Rest well. Crissy xx.'

Jim Sullivan, the son of Only Fools creator John Sullivan, said Challis, 'brought his own unique touch to the character of Boycie, bags of charisma and charm and, of course, that unmistakable trademark laugh.'

He added: 'My dad loved that laugh and from the first time he heard it would always include a 'Boycie does one of his laughs' in the script stage directions. 'Away from the camera, John was an immensely kind, witty and erudite man. He will be missed enormously, and our thoughts are with his wife Carole and the rest of his family.'

Former Doctor Who actor Colin Baker, who appeared alongside John Challis in the 1975 safety information film Drive Carefully, Darling, tweeted: 'Oh my goodness. My friend John Challis has died.  What a lovely man he was funny warm and a great lover of his garden and nature. We are all the poorer for his loss.'

'Allo 'Allo! actress Vicki Michelle also paid tribute to Challis. She said on Twitter: 'Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Wonderful John Challis such a fabulous man. Loved by the Nation. Condolences to his family and loved ones.'

EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman described Challis as an 'icon'. She tweeted: 'Omg just seen news about John Challis. I'm absolutely gutted.  He had become such a wonderful friend and ally from meeting here Twitter. Love you John you icon and all thoughts to your beloved family. May your memory be a blessing. So sad.'

Former heavyweight champion boxer Frank Bruno tweeted: 'John Challis RIP cannot believe it.  (He) used to say to me 'Franklyn my dear boy how the devil are you boxed anybody round the ears recently?' Loved all the TV he did.'

In tribute to their long-term fan, Somerset County Cricket Club shared a video filmed with Challis earlier this year in which he comically announced the extension of a player's contract.  'Somerset County Cricket Club are extremely saddened to hear about the passing of long term supporter John Challis,' the club tweeted. 'Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.'

TV writer and Good Morning Britain presenter Adil Ray tweeted of Challis: 'Very sad news. What a fabulous actor. A writer's dream. His performance turned Boycie into one of the funniest supporting characters in British sitcom. Thoughts with his family & friends.'

John Challis dead at 79: How Only Fools and Horses actor left indelible mark on popular British culture with his portrayal of second-hand car salesman Boycie

Challis left an indelible mark on British popular culture with his portrayal of loudmouth second-hand car salesman Boycie in Only Fools And Horses.  The character, usually found at the Nag's Head pub with a cigar in one hand and a large cognac in the other, was instantly recognisable by his mocking laugh which often followed a cutting remark about one of the Trotters.  Challis played Terrance Aubrey 'Boycie' Boyce from the first series of Only Fools And Horses in 1981, right the way through to the final Christmas special in 2003.  He also reprised the career-defining role of Boycie, a close friend and frequent sparring partner of Sir David Jason's Del Boy, for spin-off series The Green Green Grass from 2005-2009.  Challis, who has died aged 79, was born in Bristol in 1942 but moved to south-east London with his parents when he was one. His father was a civil servant from Sheffield while his mother, who harboured dreams of becoming an actress, oversaw plays for youth clubs.  After a brief and unsuccessful attempt at becoming an estate agent, Challis set his sights on a career in the arts.  One of his early roles was as Sergeant Culshaw in police procedural Z-Cars, which he thought was of no interest to his father. It was only years later that he found out from a family friend how proud his father was. They later shared a rare moment of personal affection.  Speaking to the Guardian, Challis said: 'The only time he let his guard down was when he was quite p***ed and he'd watched me in Tom Stoppard's play Dirty Linen.   We were sitting at the kitchen table and he suddenly said 'I was so proud of you', and I burst into tears because he'd never, ever said that. And then he said 'How do you do that? How do you get up there on stage and do that?' I said 'It's my job, Dad'. 'Fantastic', he said. It was an unbelievable breakthrough, but then the doors closed and he never mentioned it again.'

Challis's parents split later in life. By the time Only Fools And Horses became a hit, his father, a heavy drinker, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Challis later had to have him sectioned.  His mother died from cancer in 1987 aged 67, with his seriously unwell father following in 1990. An only child, Challis said in 2011 that his only living relative was an aunt in Sheffield.  Challis was in his late 30s when he landed the role of Boycie after impressing Only Fools And Horses creator John Sullivan in Citizen Smith, the show he made before making the Trotters household names.  Initially, the part was just one scene before the unscrupulous car salesman became more prominent as the hugely popular series continued.  Boycie was married to the feisty Marlene played by Sue Holderness and the state of their marriage became a running joke, with repeated gags about her alleged promiscuity.  With his south London nasal twang and distinctive mannerisms, the character easily stood out even among the colourful cast of Only Fools And Horses.  Some of Boycie's more memorable moments included losing to Del Boy in a high-stakes card game, revealing his middle name was 'Aubrey' during a seance, and inadvertently acting as a jailer to a kidnapped 'asylum seeker' in the Trotters' Peckham flat.  Amid running jokes about Boycie's lack of potency, he and Marlene had a son, Tyler, who appeared in 1989 Christmas special The Jolly Boys' Outing. While many actors strive to escape the shadow of their biggest characters, Challis seemed to embrace Boycie's popularity.  He was a regular sight at the ever-popular Only Fools And Horses fan events and his Twitter handle was @BeingBoycie.  Challis wrote two autobiographies, Being Boycie and Boycie & Beyond, and made the 2020 documentary Boycie In Belgrade, exploring why Only Fools And Horses remained hugely popular in Serbia. In September 2021 it was announced that Challis had been forced to cancel a speaking tour due to ill health amid reports he had been diagnosed with cancer. 

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/anti-mask-dad-who-protested-24866749?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=coronvirus_briefing_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Anti-mask dad who protested lockdown dies from Covid after taking cow drug

Caleb Wallace, 30, was admitted to hospital last month, where he needed full sedation after taking a cocktail of drugs and vitamins falsely touted online as a Covid 'cure'

By Abigail O'Leary Reporter

09:38, 30 Aug 2021

A dad who protested lockdown and urged others to stop wearing masks has died from Covid, his pregnant wife has said.  Caleb Wallace, 30, was admitted to hospital last month, where he needed full sedation after taking a cocktail of drugs and vitamins falsely touted online as a Covid 'cure'.  One of the medications, Ivermectin, is used to treat parasite infestations in farm animals like horses and cattle.  Now, Caleb's wife Jessica has revealed he died on Saturday after weeks on a ventilator at San Angelo hospital.  She described her husband as "imperfect" but said he loved his little girls.  On a GoFundMe page, Jessica wrote: "Caleb has peacefully passed on. He will forever live in our hearts and minds.  He was an imperfect man but he loved his family and his little girls more than anything."

Last year, Wallace spoke at a San Angelo City Council briefing on coronavirus, KXAN reported.  He said: “My health has nothing to do with you. As harsh as that sounds, but our constitutional, fundamental rights protect that. Nothing else.  I’m sorry if that comes off as blunt and that I don’t care. I do care.  I care more about freedom than I do for your personal health."

Weeks before his hospitalisation Caleb headed a protest called the "Freedom Rally" which sought to take a stand against government meddling in US citizens' lives.  Caleb, whose wife is expecting a new child by next month, was one of the founding members of San Angelo's "Freedom Defenders".  The group say their goal is to battle "Covid-19 tyranny".  The 30-year-old Texan appeared in several interviews relating to the group's fight for an "open Texas" and his anti-mask and anti-vaccine stand.  In an open letter to San Angelo's school districts in April Caleb claimed there was "ZERO benefit to this continued practice [wearing masks]."

In a promotional video for Freedom Defenders, Caleb said the campaign group was "fighting for people to get to work. We're fighting for people to get back on their feet."

He added that he feared "we're gonna lose much more than we bargained for".

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9843249/Human-remains-Pyrenees-confirmed-missing-British-hiker-Esther-Dingley.html

Human remains found in Pyrenees are confirmed to be missing British hiker Esther Dingley, 'distraught' boyfriend reveals

    Esther Dingley, 37, disappeared while on a solo hike in the Pyrenees in November
    Bones were found in the search last Friday and have been confirmed as hers
    She last made contact with her partner Daniel Colegate at 4pm on November 22

By Nick Craven and Gerard Couzens and Lauren Lewis For Mailonline

Published: 10:17, 30 July 2021 | Updated: 10:58, 30 July 2021

Human remains found last Friday in the Pyrenees have been confirmed as those of missing hiker Esther Dingley. The Oxford graduate disappeared in November while on a solo-hike in the Pyrenees. Police last week discovered a skull with long hair near the site where she last made contact with her boyfriend Dan Colegate and used dental records to confirm a match.  Her mum Ria Dingley-Schoneveld and Colegate announced the news in a statement.  They said: 'We are distraught to report that we have received DNA confirmation that one of the bones found last week belongs to Esther.  'We have all known for many months that the chance we would get to hug our beloved Esther again, to feel her warm hand in ours, to see her beautiful smile and to watch the room light up again whenever she arrived was tiny, but with this confirmation that small hope has now faded. It is devastating beyond words.'

The statement added: 'At this stage, with just a single bone found and no sign of equipment or clothing in the immediate area (which has been closely searched again over several days), the details of what happened and where still remain unknown.  'The search and rescue teams intend to continue their search on foot and with drones, particularly trying to find some sign of Esther's equipment to understand how this tragedy occurred.  'The family would like to express their gratitude to the officers in charge of the various police units in France and Spain, the British consulates in Bordeaux and Barcelona, and LBT Global, all of whom have remained in close contact with us for months now.  Their continued support and their determination to find answers is welcome.'

Spanish police confirmed last Friday bones had been found near the spot where Oxford graduate went missing late last year.  A mountain runner raised the alarm around 2pm after discovering what he believed could be the remains of a body.  Spanish police went to the area but alerted their French counterparts after discovering the spot was just over the border.  French police subsequently took charge of the investigation to try to confirm they were human remains and who they could belong to if so.  Unconfirmed reports at the time said the runner had come across a skull with hair that appeared to be the same colour and length as Dingley's.  The remains were found at Puerto de la Glera - Port de la Glera in France - which is close to the 8,796ft Pico Salvaguardia summit where Dingley last made contact with her partner around 4pm on November 22 last year.  Specialist officers from Spain and France had carried out several searches of the area around the hiking trail.  French police chief Jean-Marc Bordinaro, who has been involved in the search from day one, said after the find at the French mountain pass animals could have dragged the remains to the spot where they were discovered.  'Everything suggests that these bones were recently moved by animals. They would not have been there a few days earlier', he said.

Brown bears and wolves are among the creatures roaming freely in the mountain range, where birds of prey such as vultures are also a common sight.  Commander Bordinaro confirmed that police on both sides of the border were carrying out urgent searches to see if they can trace where the skull and related bones may have been hidden  Ms Dingley was carrying a distinctive yellow tent, and had a bright red-and-grey rucksack with her when she went missing, but no trace of either has been found.  Both are made of hardwearing material that would last for years out in the open, including in the rugged Pyrenees countryside.  Chief Executive of LBT Global, who have been supporting Dingley's boyfriend, Matthew Searle MBE said: 'This is the tragic end we have all feared.  This is devastating news for Esther's loved ones never before have I seen such incredible determination as that showed by Daniel in his relentless physical search of the mountains.  We ask that media leave the family in peace at this incredibly difficult time.  The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Esther's death is still very much in its infancy, and updates will be issued by LBT Global as they become available.  For now, however, we urge that Esther's loved ones are left in peace to come to terms with this horrific news, and that online speculation is kept to a minimum.   There will be no further statement or interview until further notice please do not attempt to contact the family.' 

Dingley had planned a solo hike from the Spanish town of Benasque to Pic de Sauvegarde, a mountaintop in the Pyrenees which she reached on November 22, sending Colgate a picture via WhatsApp, which was their last contact.  She was seen by several witnesses including an Olympic Spanish skier asking for some fruit hiking on the path leading up to the summit.  From there she planned to walk between Port de la Gléré and Port de Venasque a route of some eight miles before hiking down from the mountains.  But after two days without contact, Colgate reported Esther missing on November 24, just a day before her trip was due to end, sparking a massive manhunt.  The pass was part of an area described as an 'easy' walk for the missing Brit hiker by her boyfriend.  Dan Colegate said Puerto de la Glera was part of the route he had expected her to take and insisted it would have been 'well within' her capabilities in a dossier he released in January through LBT Global.  He wrote in the 23-page dossier, referring to key locations in France by their French name, about Esther's plans to do a circular hike between Spain and France which involved sleeping at a mountain refuge: 'An individual that Esther met on November 19 came forward to say he had specifically suggested this route through France, between Port de Venasque and Port de la Glere, to Esther when he met her.  'There is no reason to think that Esther did not stick to this plan.'

He added, in a section titled 'Esther's Planned Onward Route', reflecting on the idea she reached the mountain refuge in France and slept there overnight before continuing what would have been a five to seven hike to return to her initial starting point in Spain.  Her onward route would have involved a descent northwards towards the Hospice de France, a flat traverse westwards around the Imperatrice Way, and a climb southwards to the border at Port de la Glere.  From the border the route descends back towards Hospital de Benasque.  This route would have been well within Esther's capabilities for a day hike, in addition to the fact she had a tent, camping equipment and significant experience using it.  Distance was 16km with 1100 metres of ascent, five to seven hours of hiking time.  The weather remained excellent that Monday. The route is very obvious on the ground and also from the terrain when starting from Refuge de Venasque.  It's basically impossible to get lost in good visibility here.  The entire route is a well-made and easy to follow path.  Although Esther believed and had warned family that there was poor signal in the area, in fact the signal is very good on the French side.  Within half an hour of leaving the refuge, Esther should have been able to use her phone for most of the rest of the day.'

Spanish Civil Guard sergeant Jorge Lopez Ramos, whose Greim elite mountain search and rescue team led an eight-day search for Esther on the Spanish side of the border before it was halted last December because of bad weather, confirmed late last year Puerto de la Glera was on the route she told her boyfriend she was planning to take before she disappeared.  Referring to the mountain pass by its Spanish name, he said at the time: 'Esther told her partner she was planning to spend the night in a nearby refuge on the French side of the border called Venasque before doing a long half-circle to re-enter Spain through a mountain pass called Puerto de la Glera and heading back down to Llanos del Hospital.  It would have been a long day's walk or she could have spent the night somewhere and finished the following day.  We don't know if she reached Venasque that night. It's shut at the moment and only an emergency part of it is open for people to sleep in and consume any food they have with them.'

Esther's partner of 20 years claimed in a recent BBC interview he 'could no longer agree' with the idea she had suffered an accident.  He said: 'The search has been so prolonged and so intense, that as far as I'm concerned the probability of an accident is now less than the probability of a criminal act.'

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/agnes-akom-human-remains-found-24327300?utm_source=mirror_newsletter&utm_campaign=daily_morning_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Agnes Akom: Human remains found by police in search for missing 20-year-old woman

Agnes 'Dora' Akom, 20, who is originally from Hungary, was last seen alive in the Cricklewood area of north west London on May 9, with Neculai Paizan subsequently charged with murder

By Stephen Beech & Matthew Dresch

21:20, 15 JUN 2021Updated21:22, 15 JUN 2021

Human remains have been found by police probing the suspected murder of a missing woman.  Agnes Akom, 20, was last seen alive in the Cricklewood area of north west London on Sunday May 9.  Neculai Paizan, 63, was charged with the murder of Agnes on May 23 and was subsequently remanded in custody.  Scotland Yard said human remains were found by officers yesterday searching Neasden Recreation Park in connection with the disappearance of Agnes.  Her family have been informed, and are being supported by specially trained officers.  Hungarian national Agnes also known as 'Dora' moved to the UK three years ago.  She left her home address in the Cricklewood Broadway area on the morning of Sunday, 9 May. She was reported missing two days later.  Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, of the Met's Specialist Crime North, said: "The discovery of human remains by my colleagues searching the area is both shocking and deeply disturbing for everyone concerned, in particular for Agnes's family who continue to be supported by specialist officers.  I request that their privacy is respected as this very difficult time.  I expect my team and forensic colleagues to remain at Neasden Recreation Park for some days to come as they maintain the scene and complete their site examinations."

He added: "I would like to thank the local community for their patience as we continue with our enquiries in the recreation ground."

Paizan, of Peel Street, Kensington and Chelsea, will next appear in court on August 6 at the Old Bailey.