Woman's heartache as mother's body search goes on

The daughter of a murdered woman has described her "heartache" as her family approach their second Christmas without her mother's remains being found.

Fiona Holm, 48, was killed by her abusive boyfriend Carl Cooper, 66, at his flat in Catford, south-east London, on 20 June 2023.

Cooper was jailed for life in July for her murder, and that of a previous girlfriend Naomi Hunte, but he has not revealed where Ms Holm's body is.

As the Metropolitan Police make a renewed appeal for information, her daughter, Savannah Holm-Aderemi, says it is "disturbing" that no-one has come forward to help find her mother's remains.

Ms Holm-Aderemi said: "As the heartache still continues, the restless nights go on knowing that she has been out there this long, and no-one has come forward with any information.

"The thought of us finding her remains is sickening to think about, but this would also bring my whole family peace."

She added that Ms Holm's mother had "not been the same" since her daughter's death and that she missed her "big heart and kind ways".

The Met Police confirmed a £20,000 reward previously offered was still available in exchange for information leading to the recovery of Ms Holm's remains, and made a fresh appeal for information.

Det Ch Ins Kate Blackburn said her team had carried out extensive work to find Ms Holm's body, including searches of places she had frequented, as well as open spaces, bodies of water, houses, cars and lock-ups.

"Thousands of hours of CCTV has been seized and viewed, substantial mobile phone inquiries have been reviewed and hundreds of witness statements have been taken, including interviews with Fiona's family and friends."

She added she hoped anyone with information would feel able to come forward now that Cooper had been convicted.

During his trial, the jury heard how Cooper was a "great danger" to women and had been controlling and coercive towards Ms Hunte and Ms Holm during their relationships with him.

Both women had previously complained to the Met Police about his abusive behaviour.

The police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently investigating how those allegations were handled.

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