Detectives investigating Julie Buckley murder case confirm last sighting

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Cambridgeshire woman Julie Buckley have released further details about her disappearance and issued an appeal to drivers.

Police confirmed last week that they were treating the disappearance of the 54-year-old, from Christchurch, near March, as murder, although no body has been found.

Karl Hutchings, 47, of The Hill, Christchurch, appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning (17 February) charged with her murder and is due to appear at Huntingdon Law Courts on Wednesday (19 February).

Several other people have been arrested in connection with the case.

Today, detectives confirmed Julie had not been seen since Tuesday, 28 January, when she was captured on CCTV at Budgens in March.

Police are investigating a report of suspicious activity at Bedlam Bridge and have appealed to drivers who may have driven along the Bedlam Bridge, Sixteen Foot Bank, in March, on the evening of Thursday, 30 January, between 8pm and 9pm, or close to those times, to get in touch.

Det Insp Verity McCann, from the major crime unit, said: “We are really keen to hear from anyone, particularly drivers with dashcams, who may have driven along that stretch of road or in that general area during those times.

“We’re keen to speak with them and get hold of any footage they have, which might assist us with our search.

“This is a fast-paced investigation, and we are doing all we can to find out what has happened to Julie.”

A 49-year-old man and 42-year-old woman, both from Christchurch, who were arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender have been released on bail.

A 45-year-old man from March was arrested today on suspicion of assisting an offender and taken into custody.

Anyone with information is urged to get in touch with police as a matter of urgency, by calling 101 and quoting Op Dragonfish or asking to speak with Det Insp McCann.