Claire Knights: Body found near Minnis Bay in search for missing dogwalker after man arrested on suspicion of murder
COPS have found a body near Minnis Bay after searching for missing dogwalker Claire Knights.
The 54-year-old was last seen in the village of Upstreet near Canterbury, Kent on Wednesday morning.
Kent Police have now revealed they found a deceased woman near Minnis Bay in Birchington, just after 7pm last night.
Cops said that formal identification has not taken place but that Claire’s family – who reported her missing – have been made aware.
On Thursday, a man in his 20s from Margate was arrested on suspicion of murder.
The death is being treated as suspicious and a potential murder.
Claire was walking her dog along the beach and carried with her a “hiking rucksack” before she went missing.
Her vehicle, a silver Suzuki, has since been found parked in Shuart Lane in St Nicholas-at-Wade near Margate.
She is believed to have walked from there to the Minnis Bay area where she is reported to have been seen later that afternoon.
Her white-and-brown spaniel was found wandering around on the beach on its own by police on Wednesday.
In a desperate appeal on Facebook, her son Elliot previously wrote: “She is a type 1 diabetic.
“If she is suffering from low blood sugar, she would appear disorientated, confused and almost drunk with slurred speech and difficulty walking. If this continues she may collapse.
“She was wearing a bikini and had with her a pink/red roll top hiking rucksack, a black dog lead which fastens around the waist, and a red and black dog collar with her phone number embroidered onto it.
“If anyone has any information please get in contact asap.”
One friend, who has known Claire for years, said they were devastated by the news of Claire’s disappearance.
She said: “I last saw Claire three weeks ago and she seemed fine.
“She seemed her usual self. I feel like something terrible has happened to her. I’m very upset about it.
“We’re absolutely devastated.”
The friend, who asked not to be named, said Claire is a talented sculptor who has won awards for her work.
She added: “She’s an incredibly good artist and not commercial at all – her work comes right from her heart. It’s profound.
“She deserves some recognition. She never takes the easy route – her work is amazing.”
The friend described Claire – who disappeared on Wednesday as an “animal lover” who regularly looks after other people’s pets.
She added: “Her and her partner look after dogs. She’s a massive animal lover, so it’s no surprise that she was walking her dog when she disappeared.
“She’s just lovely – a very genuine person.”