Police have launched a desperate appeal for anyone with dashcam footage or people who saw detective Leanne McKie’s car the day before her death to come forward.
The 39-year-old serving Greater Manchester Police detective was found in a lake in Poynton Park, Cheshire, on Friday.
Police are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have saw her red Mini, registration number DA12 DFO, the day before her death on Thursday September 28 or in the early hours of Friday September 29.
Investigators believe the mother-of-three’s car may have been driven along the A523 between Poynton and Poynton Park or the A5149, Chester Road, toward Wilmslow between the hours of 11.30pm on Thursday 28 September and 3.30am on Friday.
Detective Adam Waller said: ‘As part of our ongoing inquiries I’m appealing for information from the public to help establish Leanne’s movements in the hours leading up to her death.
Leanne (pictured with her husband Darren McKie, also a police officer, in 2014) was a mother of three young children and a serving police officer in Greater Manchester Police
Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have saw her red Mini, registration number DA12 DFO, the day before her death on Thursday September 28 or in the early hours of Friday September 29
‘I’m keen to hear from anyone who believes that that may have seen Leanne’s red Mini.
‘I’d like to hear from anyone with any information, and particularly anyone with any dashcam footage.’
He added: ‘I’d also urge anyone who was in the area around Poynton Park during this time period and believe that they may have witnessed anything suspicious or unusual, no matter how small, to get in touch.’
Police have arrested the husband of a ‘murdered’ detective whose body was found in a lake at a popular beauty spot, according to reports.
A 43-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been named locally as her husband Darren – also an officer.
Leanne’s uncle Robert Chesworth, 71, told The Sun on Sunday: ‘They’ve been together a long time and have three lovely children.
‘Everything seemed fine but now Leanne is dead. It is more than we can cope with.
‘Poor, poor Leanne. She was the most wonderful woman. She lived for the kids.’
A murder investigation was launched after the discovery was made at 3.45am on Friday in Poynton Park.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, of Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘It is with great sadness that I can confirm that the body of serving GMP officer Leanne McKie was found in Poynton yesterday morning and a murder investigation has been launched by Cheshire Police.
‘I would like to offer my most sincere condolences to Leanne’s family and friends at this devastating time. My heart particularly goes out to her three young children, who she adored.
‘Leanne has served with Greater Manchester Police since 2001 and was a detective working with the serious sexual offences unit.
A formal identification of the body has not yet taken place but it is believed to be Ms McKie. A photo posted on Facebook shows the police officer beaming with her family
‘Leanne worked tirelessly to provide support and seek justice for victims of sexual crimes.
‘Leanne was a popular figure among her colleagues, who have been left devastated by the news of her tragic death. She will be sorely missed by everyone she worked with.’
Detective Inspector Adam Waller said: ‘At this stage this appears to be an isolated incident and we are doing everything we can to establish the exact circumstances of what has happened.’ Pictured: Ms McKie with her children
Tragic: Ms McKie is pictured with one of her children
Police cordons are in place in Poynton and Wilmslow as inquiries continue
Neighbours said the couple had only moved into the house a few weeks ago, after refurbishing the detached property.
They had been renting a home nearby while the house was under renovation.
One neighbour described Leanne as ‘a lovely lady’ and said her thoughts were with the family’s children.
Another said: ‘ They moved in a couple of weeks ago so I don’t think anyone really knows them.
‘We sort of left them to move in and said we’ll go an introduce ourselves. No-one really knows anything.’
Cheshire Police were called to Poynton Park at about 3.45am on Friday after reports a body had been found
A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a woman believed to be Ms McKie was found in a lake
A formal identification of the body has not yet taken place by it is believed to be the 39-year-old mother-of-three Ms McKie
Detective Inspector Adam Waller said: ‘At this stage this appears to be an isolated incident and we are doing everything we can to establish the exact circumstances of what has happened
Cheshire Police were called to Poynton Park at about 3.45am on Friday after reports a body had been found
Police cordons are in place in Poynton and Wilmslow as inquiries continue
One said: ‘We knew they were police officers and thought ‘that’s good for the area’. The building work was going on for a long time but they have only just moved in.’
A police car remained outside the property throughout the evening.
He said that the incident appeared to be isolated and that police were not looking for anyone else in relation to her death.
Mr Waller urged anyone with any information to contact police.
Police cordons are in place in Poynton and Wilmslow as inquiries continue.
Anyone with information are being asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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