Luz Margory Isaza Villegas, 50, was last seen by neighbours in Hertfordshire on Saturday
Police searching for a missing mother-of-two have today found a body in woodland.
Luz Margory Isaza Villegas, 50, was last seen by neighbours in the early afternoon of Saturday, January 12, at her home in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
Her husband Rodrigo Alberto Giraldo Tascon, 55, appeared at Hatfield Remand Court today after being charged with her murder and preventing a proper and lawful burial.
Detectives confirmed search teams discovered a body on Northchurch Common, near Berkhamsted around 9am this morning.
While the identity of the body remains unclear, Mrs Villegas’ family have been informed.
They are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers.
Her husband has been remanded in custody and will next appear at St Albans Crown Court on Monday.
Mrs Villegas’ phone and handbag are still missing and police have released a picture of a phone case similar to the one that she owned.
She last spoke to a family member on the phone just before 3.20pm on the same day.
Mrs Villegas is believed to have lived with her son Daniel Giraldo Isaza, 25, and daughter Ana Giraldo Giraldo Isaza, 23.
She is also understood to have been a foster parent who was fostering a two-month-old baby. The child is now thought to be in the care of a family member.
Police teams have been pictured today carrying out a search of Northchurch Common
Detectives confirmed search teams discovered a body on Northchurch Common, near Berkhamsted around 9am this morning
Police at the scene in Hemel Hempstead after Mrs Villegas was reported missing
One neighbour, Susan Pepperell, 59, said her husband was walking his dog at the time she was reported missing and saw a large police presence outside the home.
She said: ‘My husband was taking the dog for a walk there were two detective cars, two police cars and vans – the road was full.
‘The house has got tape around it. My husband saw police picking things from under the car.’
Another said: ‘Police have been doing door-to-door inquiries asking people when they last saw them and about their behaviour and whether anything had changed.
‘Their daughter, who is in her early 20s, was saying ‘My mum’s missing. Forensics are here searching the bins and they have taped off part of the house.
‘The couple foster children and have a baby at the moment. I saw her about four days ago carrying the baby to the car but I haven’t seen her since.’
Forensic officers were seen looking in bins and searching under a parked car
Detectives launched an appeal to track down the mother-of-two after she went missing
Forensic officers have been searching the property as well as the alleyway which leads from the back garden gate to the road.
One neighbour, who also did not want to be named, said they had last seen Mrs Villegas on Thursday and Friday.
They said: ‘When I saw her she didn’t seem to be herself. She just seemed really down. She didn’t have the same expression as she normally does.
‘This is just not like them at all. Definitely not. They are normally really quiet and keep to themselves.’
She spoke to a family member on the phone on Saturday, which was her last known contact
Another neighbour said: ‘The police turned up in the early hours of Sunday morning.
‘I saw the daughter, her boyfriend and the brother’s girlfriend come out the front garden and walk down the road.
‘Then the daughter came here and she asked if our CCTV worked and I said no and she said my mum’s gone missing.
‘Then her and her brother got into the car and that’s when I saw a man get arrested.’
Neighbours said forensic officers had carried out several objects from inside the home
Police confirmed a cordon was put in place at the property on the day Mrs Villegas went missing.
Houses on the road sell for up to £300,000 and the area is popular with those who commute into London, a half-hour train journey away.
Major crime unit detective inspector, Justine Jenkins, said: ‘Her body has not yet been found, and we’re continuing to carry out extensive enquiries and search the area.
‘Anyone that’s seen or heard from Luz since her disappearance or in the days leading up to it, please call us on 01707 355666 as soon as possible and quote Operation Darmera.’
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