Body found in hunt for Melanie Wilson, 22, slumped by bins at empty house confirmed as missing woman
Forensic officers descended on a backyard in Sutton-in-Ashfield after making the grim discovery
POLICE have confirmed the body found slumped by bins in the back garden of an empty bungalow by a woman viewing the property, is that of missing Melanie Wilson.
The 22-year-old vanished from her home in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts, just before midnight last month after texting her dad "I love you".
Her body was found when prospective buyers came to view the property on November 3.
A post mortem investigation carried out yesterday has yet to confirm the cause of death, but police have said they are not considering her death to be suspicious.
Melanie was last seen alive at her home in Sutton-in-Ashfield on October 19.
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: "Officers are liaising with Melanie's family and keeping them updated."
Gemma Flint, 34, lives next to the bungalow where the body was found in Stoney Street.
She said: "I was talking to the woman who came to view the empty bungalow - she was hoping to move into it.
"She came round to look and she pushed the gate and went round the back and she saw the girl sat at the side of the dustbin.
"She was all dressed up in black, they thought she'd been beat up - it's shocking.
"It makes me feel sick. I was going to go up there the other day and put the bin out but I didn't, If I had...
"Poor girl - it's the family I feel for."
Earlier this week Melanie's father David Wilson, revealed that she had sent him the worrying text before she disappeared.
He said: "I'd imagine hell is similar to what I and family and friends are going through. We're all heartbroken. Everywhere we look there's a reminder of her.
"The last time I saw her was when she popped in to see me at home on Monday [October 17].
"We just had a general chat and hugged each other as she left. She seemed her usual self.
"The last contact I had with her was a text she sent me at about 11pm on Wednesday [October 19] which said 'I love you dad.'
"I sent her one back saying 'I love you too darling'."
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Police searching for the charity shop volunteer had handed out leaflets and carried out searches of a pond and reservoir.
Police divers were also called in to assist the search, with teams scouring a lake at Sutton Lawn Park in an effort to find the young woman.
Timeline
October 19: Melanie Wilson is last seen at her home around 11.20pm
October 26: Underwater police search teams scour King's Mill Reservoir and Sutton Lawn Park Pond
October 27: During a press conference police say they are 'extremely concerned' for Melanie
October 28: Residents are urged to check outbuildings for any sign of Melanie
October 31: Volunteers search the area around Melanie disappeared
November 1 Melanie's father makes a heartfelt plea for her return
November 3: A body is found in the back garden of a bungalow
The community had recently pitched in trying to help find the woman, conducting searches of the area.
Police said that anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 858 of 21 October 2016.
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