Milton Keynes family urge police to carry out DNA tests after body found in woodland

The body of a male was discovered in a Northampton wood by a member of the public out walking during lockdown. Police say the remains may have been hidden for "some time".

Computer whizkid Jonathan was just 20 when he vanished from his home in Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, in February 2002.

Though a body was never found, his business partner Stewart Martin was convicted of manslaughter two years later and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years.

He had fled to Australia but police, after finding blood in his car, extradited and charged him with the killing.

Jonathan's mum Sheila sent repeated letters to Martin, begging him to reveal the location of Jonathan’s body. But the killer refused..

He was released on licence after serving just over four years and died of a heart attack 18 months later, aged 48, taking his secrets to the grave.

Police worked out Martin had only a few hours to hide Jonathan's body before fleeing the country, and retired civil servant Sheila, now in her early 70s has spent the years searching every inch of Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

She said: “I go deep into wooded areas... At times it’s terrifying. Once, I got lost as night fell. I stumbled about in the dark in sheer panic. I sat down and sobbed. Finally, I found a path. I always pack a survival blanket and compass now.”

She added: “We feel it’s our duty as Jonathan’s parents to find him...The grieving process involves falling apart and putt­ing yourself back together – learning to move on without that person. Without our son’s body to bury, we can’t do that.”

Jonathan's sister Nina is contacting Northants police to ask them to investigate whether the newly-discovered body could be her brother.

She said: "It's strange because we were only saying the other day that lockdown could be a good thing as far as finding Jonathan was concerned. It means that all these people are out and about walking on their daily exercise, discovering new places and going deeper into woodland than they normally would.

"We were hoping it would increase the chances of Jonathan finally being found."

Northampton detectives have now drafted in Home Office pathologists in a bid to identify the remains, which were found at 5.25pm yesterday (Monday)

Detective Inspector Tony Kennedy, said: “We are in the very early stages of this investigation and our primary aim at the moment is to determine whether this man died in suspicious circumstances or not.

“We believe his body has been in the area for some time and a Home Office pathologist is assisting us with identifying the remains.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have information about who this man might be, or who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area, to please contact us on 101, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."