Missing rug is '˜significant' to murder investigation

Police are searching for a missing red rug as part of the Natalie Hemming murder investigation, it was announced today (Thursday, May 12).
Pictured is the red rug in Natalie Hemming's living room, which police are searching forPictured is the red rug in Natalie Hemming's living room, which police are searching for
Pictured is the red rug in Natalie Hemming's living room, which police are searching for

During a press conference at Aylesbury Police Station this morning, Detective Superintendent Chris Ward said the 12ft by 10ft soft pile rug was missing from the living room of Natalie’s home in Alderney Avenue, Newton Leys, Milton Keynes.

Det Supt Ward, head of Thames Valley Police’s major crime unit, said: “I believe this rug is very significant in relation to Natalie’s disappearance.

“It has a three-inch soft pile and is very heavy.

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“We are appealing to anyone who has seen this rug discarded – particularly within the Aylesbury, Oxford or Milton Keynes area – or has picked it up or moved it, to come forward and speak to us.”

Det Supt Ward also thanked the media for publicising the appeal for information about a car believed to be connected to the mother-of-three’s disappearance.

He said officers had received new information from the public about a black Ford S-Max Titan X Sport, which police have seized and subjected to forensic tests.

The car, registration EJ12 UWG, is thought to have travelled on the A413, the A418 and the A41 around Aylesbury, between 9.45pm on Sunday, May 1 and 12.45am on Monday, May 2.

MPMC Natalie Hemming  (black car)MPMC Natalie Hemming  (black car)
MPMC Natalie Hemming (black car)
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Det Supt Ward said he is ‘still very interested’ in the movements of the car during these times, and urged those who may have seen the vehicle either moving or parked up to come forward and speak to police.

The force would like to hear from anyone who knew Natalie and have information they believe could assist the investigation.

Yesterday (Wednesday, May 11), specialist search officers and sniffer dogs were searching Salden Wood and a disused railway line near Mursley but Det Supt confirmed that nothing of significance had been found, but the search area has been now been widened to include the Oxford area and the Bedfordshire border.

Natalie, 31, was last seen on Sunday, May 1, in Hemel Hempstead and was reported missing by a family member on Tuesday, May 3.

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Her partner Paul Hemming, 42, has been charged with her murder despite no body being found.

Mr Hemming has been remanded in custody and will next appear in court in June.

Police have clarified that Natalie is not married to Mr Hemming, but had changed her surname.

> Anyone with any information which could assist the investigation should call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101, quoting URN 1478 4/5.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.