Man charged with second murder after two women disappeared six months apart

A man being held over the disappearance and death of a woman is now a suspect in a second murder.

Mark Brown has already pleaded not guilty to killing mum-of-two Alexandra Morgan in November last year.

The 33-year-old was last spotted at a petrol station in Cranbrook, Kent, on November 14, 2021, and has not been seen since.

Concerns were raised separately the same month for Leah Ware, 33, from Hastings Sussex, but officers later established she had not been in contact with friends and family for some time.

Mr Brown, 40, is charged with murdering Ms Mare on or around May 7, 2021, and the search for her body continues.

Detectives have revealed they have now located the remains of Ms Morgan after extensive searches and public appeals for both women.

He appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, where he denied murdering Ms Morgan.

Brown, of St Leonards, did not enter a plea in relation to the murder of Ms Ware, according to Kent Police.

In a joint statement, senior investigating officers DCI Neil Kimber of Kent Police and DCI Andy Wolstenholme from Sussex Police said: ‘Our thoughts are with the families of both Alexandra and Leah at this difficult time.

‘Whilst we have located the remains of Alexandra we have yet to find Leah and our investigations remain ongoing. 

‘We are appealing for anyone with information regarding either Leah or Alexandra to contact us urgently.’

The statement continued: ‘We understand the impact that this may have in our communities. We encourage anyone with concerns to get in touch with us.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.