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Death of Leah Daley at The Warren in Folkestone not being treated as suspicious
07:01, 17 July 2024
updated: 12:24, 17 July 2024
The death of a young woman whose body was found in undergrowth 12 days after she was reported missing is not being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed.
Tragedy struck two months ago today when 24-year-old Leah Daley was found dead by two walkers on Folkestone seafront, about 700 yards from where she had last been seen.
The heartbreaking discovery on May 17 was made following a widespread search involving a series of emergency crews, volunteers and members of the public.
The cause of her death is yet to be made public and her family are still awaiting the results of toxicology tests.
But police have for the first time confirmed her death is not being treated as suspicious, with the case now passed to the coroner.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed an investigation into the disappearance of tributes left to Leah at The Leas bandstand in Folkestone has been shelved.
The many poignant items from the vigil, including candles, flowers, notes, and pictures of Leah, were removed over the weekend of June 1.
Leah’s family contacted Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), waste contractor Veolia, Folkestone Festivals and Kent Police in an effort to find out where they had gone.
FHDC, which owns the bandstand, said it did not believe the tributes were removed by any of its teams, adding that Veolia and Folkestone Festivals - a month-long event with live music performances at the landmark - “had both assured us they were not involved in taking away items”.
At the same time, Leah’s family have raised concerns over CCTV footage shared on social media that shows a woman removing a ‘missing person’ poster from the town centre during the search for Leah.
In the short clip she is seen taking a photograph of the flyer on her phone before tearing it down and walking off.
Leah’s mum, Hannah, said: “Several videos have been shared on Facebook of a woman taking down the missing poster of Leah in Folkestone town while she was still missing.
“I can’t comment on her motivations - whether the two are linked is the same question we have, and have asked the police to investigate.
“We understand the tribute couldn’t have remained there forever but for it to be removed in this way and for the items to have not been returned to the family despite our repeated appeals is cruel.”
Police say the removal of the vigil was reported to them on June 7, but following an investigation “the report has now been filed pending further lines of enquiry coming to light”.
Asked about the CCTV footage of the woman removing the poster, a spokesman added: “This was reported to police and no offences were identified.”
Leah was reported missing on Sunday, May 5, with her family at the time describing her disappearance as “totally out of character”.
She had last been seen at 7pm that day at The Warren - a seafront beauty spot she had enjoyed since she was a child.
She was found 12 days later further along the coast in undergrowth by a footpath, where tributes have been placed in her memory.
Mum Hannah says the family has been left devastated by Leah’s death.
“It took them 12 days to find Leah, who was apparently there all the time, despite having drone footage,” she said.
“But we're never going to get over this, particularly how long it took them to find her.
“And now waiting all this time, still no toxicology.”
Police have confirmed a post-mortem examination has taken place, but an inquest into Leah’s death has yet to be opened.