'Nothing could prepare me for the discovery of the murdered body of my missing friend'

Rachel Roussel (right) 47, who is organising a fundraiser for the family of her friend, mother-of-three Joanne Sheen, who disappeared nearly seven years ago and whose remains were found after a wildfire in London PA Matt Watts , News Editor 1 minute ago COMMENTS A close friend of a mother-of-three whose remains were uncovered by a wildfire in London nearly seven years after she disappeared said “nothing could prepare” her for the discovery.

Rachel Roussel, 47, of Southampton , said learning the remains found in Feltham last month was Joanne Sheen, was “absolutely devastating”.

The remains of Joanne Sheen were found on August 12 in shrubland known as The Pits near Padstow Walk after the area was affected by a blaze during the summer of heatwaves.

Ms Sheen, 44, was reported missing by her family in 2020 after not being seen since she travelled from Fareham, Hampshire , heading to her home city of Southampton, on December 5 2019.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder her in 2020, but were released with no further action.

Metropolitan Police detectives had launched a murder probe on the discovery of the remains, but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have taken over the investigation after the remains were identified as those of Ms Sheen.

A 56-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder on Thursday.

Of the police update, Ms Roussel told the Press Association: “It’s something that everybody’s heavily anticipated, and you kind of get yourself ready and prepare yourself for it.

Rachel Roussel (right) 47, with her friend, mother-of-three Joanne Sheen, 44, (left) PA Ms Roussel said the years of uncertainty had been particularly difficult for Ms Sheen’s three daughters, two of whom she said have since become mothers themselves.

She said: “Her daughters are mums themselves now, so they’ve had their babies, and their mum wasn’t there for that.”

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She added: “To have to go through something like this and to have to be going through it for so long, seven years, is just unfathomable.”