Police searching for missing Katie Kenyon believe she is dead – and have arrested a man on suspicion of murder.
Ms Kenyon, 33, from Padiham in Burnley, was reported missing after being last seen at around 9.30am on Friday.
More than 60 specialist search officers from four police forces are scouring parts of Gisburn Forest in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley for the mother of two.
A 50-year-old man from Burnley who is being questioned on suspicion of kidnap has been further arrested on suspicion of murder.
Detective are set to ask magistrates for further time to quiz the suspect who is said to be known to Ms Kenyon.
A statement from Lancashire Police said: “Whilst Katie has not yet been found we are now working on the basis that she is sadly no longer alive.”
It added that a man initially arrested on suspicion of her kidnap, has been further arrested on suspicion of her murder.
Detective Superintendent Gary Brooks, Lancashire Police’s Head of Major Crime, added officers are offering support to Ms Kenyon’s family following the latest development.
He said: “While I hold some slim hope that Katie may still be found alive I’m sad to say that Katie has now been missing for over four days.
“Despite extensive police enquiries and media appeals we have not found Katie nor have there been any sightings of Katie.
“We have spoken to Katie’s family today and they are understandably extremely upset by this latest development and I have officers continuing to offer them support. My thoughts are with them at this time.
“I am really grateful for all the help that members of the public have given us so far and I would continue to appeal to anyone who has any information, however small, to come forward and speak to us.
“While we do have someone under arrest our enquiries are very much on-going.
“We are continuing to search a number of different locations in connection with this investigation, including at Gisburn Forest and I am grateful to colleagues from Merseyside and North Wales, and other emergency service partners who are offering assistance in the these complex and wide-scale searches.”