Man arrested on suspicion of murder of missing mum Katie Kenyon as GMP officers drafted in to help mass search

A man arrested on suspicion of the kidnap of missing mum Katie Kenyon has this afternoon (Tuesday, April 26th) been further arrested on suspicion of her murder, police have confirmed. The 33-year-old has not been seen since last Friday, when it was thought she was spotted getting into a van with a man from an address in Burnley.

Detectives have said the search for her is continuing, but that they are working on the basis that she is no longer alive. The enquiry has now shifted form a missing from home to a homicide investigation.

The 50-year-old man under arrest for Katie’s murder remains in custody where he is being questioned about her disappearance. Detectives are this evening making a further application to Burnley Magistrates Court to continue this male’s detention to 9pm tomorrow (Wednesday, April 27th) after it was already extended by 36 hours on Monday.

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Greater Manchester Police, as well as other trained search officers from Lancashire, North Wales and Merseyside have now been drafted in to help with the mass search, with specialist dogs, a plane and other specialist search equipment being used. Katie’s family have been informed of the latest developments and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

It was reported that at about 9.30am on Friday (April 22nd) a woman matching Katie’s description left an address on Todmorden Road, Burnley with a man and travelled in the silver Ford Transit to the Bolton by Bowland area. Police are continuing to appeal to anyone who was in Bolton by Bowland, Gisburn Forest or that area and may have seen Katie, to get in touch.

Det Supt Gary Brooks,