Remains of missing woman, 55, found in field days after man, 48, admits murder

An investigation into a murdered woman who vanished earlier this year has led police to find human remains in a field.

Karl Hutchings, 48, pleaded guilty at Cambridge Crown Court earlier this week to the murder of 55-year-old Julie Buckley. The body of Ms Buckley, from the village of Christchurch, had not been found when Hutchings entered his guilty plea on Monday, Cambridgeshire Police said.

The force said today that human remains had been discovered in a field off Blue Lane in Wimblington. It came after lawyers for Hutchings shared details of a potential burial site with detectives.

Police said in a statement: “Detectives investigating the murder of Julie Buckley received information from Mr Hutchings’ defence team about a potential burial site in the area and following searches found remains. Julie’s family have been made aware of the discovery.”

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A post-mortem examination will take place next week, the force said, with a police scene “likely to remain in place for the next week”. Detective Chief Inspector Richard Stott said: “Julie’s family have been made aware of this significant update and are being supported by specially trained officers.”

Police believe Hutchings killed Ms Buckley on January 30 this year then used her bank cards and sold possessions. Hutchings, also of Christchurch, pleaded guilty to her murder at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday.

Ms Buckley was last seen on CCTV footage at a Budgens supermarket in the nearby town of March on January 28. Concerns were raised for her whereabouts in early February and when officers attended her home on February 13 they found blood around the property.

This was later forensically linked to Ms Buckley and Hutchings was arrested later that day. DCI Stott previously said he hoped Hutchings would “tell us where he has left her (Ms Buckley’s) body, so she can be laid to rest with dignity”. Hutchings is due to be sentenced on October 24.

After Hutchings pleaded guilty this week, DCI Stott said: “It quickly became apparent that something serious had happened to Julie, given the abrupt and complete halt in her communications from 28 January. I am pleased Hutchings has finally decided to take responsibility for what he has done and, while it won’t help the pain Julie’s family are feeling, it will make the process easier for them.”