Police in England are investigating the murder of an Irishwoman whose body was found on the grounds of a cricket club six months after she went missing from her London home.
Scotland Yard has received DNA test results confirming that a body discovered on the grounds last month was that of Ms Sinead Healy (26), from Fethard, Co Tipperary.
The body was discovered by a motorist who stopped at a lay-by next to the Beaconsfield Cricket Club in Buckinghamshire on March 22nd. Tests were carried out under the instructions of Thames Valley Police, the results of which identified a match with Ms Healy's DNA.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard confirmed yesterday that a murder hunt had been launched.
"We had until now been treating it as a missing person inquiry although our suspicions had been aroused at an early stage about her safety. She did not take anything with her before going missing, and did not touch her bank account."
Four people were arrested in the course of the police investigation into her disappearance.
One of these, a man in his 30s, was arrested once last November and a second time in January. He was since bailed to return to Central London Police Station next month.
Ms Healy, who moved to England with her parents 20 years ago, had been recently working as a cab controller. She was last seen leaving her Fulham apartment on the evening of October 18th.
A cause of death has yet to be established, the Scotland Yard spokesman said.
As post-mortem investigations are continuing, it is believed it will be some time before the body is released for burial, which is due to take place in Fethard where her family now lives.
