Body found in search for mum-of-two who went missing a week ago

A body has been found in the search for a 38-year-old mum-of-two who hadn’t been seen for a week.

Rebecca Holdham’s children returned home at 10am on Sunday, September 7 to find their mother wasn’t at home.

She was last seen at an address on the Ockley Park estate, near the village of Hassocks in West Sussex.

A major search operation was launched that included drones, dogs and a police helicopter, with her disappearance described as ‘completely out of character’.

Local residents also took part, scouring the countryside in their efforts to find the keen horsewoman as well as putting up several missing persons posters.

Yesterday a woman’s body was found by a farmer bringing his sheep into a field between Hassocks and Burgess Hill – a short walk from where the mother was last spotted. 

A police tent has been set up in a private field that’s overlooked by a windmill and does not have a public footpath.

Sussex Police said: ‘Sadly, the body of a woman was found on Sunday (September 14) in Hassocks.

‘The family of missing Rebecca Holdham have been informed, and they continue to be supported by our officers.

‘Enquiries are ongoing to confirm the woman’s identity.’

After her disappearance Ms Holdham’s close friend, Kerry Malby told Daily Mail: ‘She’s a devoted mum and this is completely out of character. She wouldn’t just leave her children.

‘We can’t understand it. In a very short space of time, she has just completely vanished. We’ve no idea if she left of her own accord or if she’s been taken. People can’t just vanish into thin air.

‘She’s an amazing friend. She would normally have phoned me if something was wrong. I can’t understand why she wouldn’t call me.’

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