A body has been found by the layby of a dual carriageway near Chesterfield believed to belong to Sarah Henshaw.
It follows a man’s arrest and a murder investigation launched after she went missing almost a week ago.
Ms Henshaw was last seen at her home address in Norman Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, at around 9pm last Tuesday.
Police attended a layby off the westbound carriageway of the A617 close to junction 29 of the M1 where the body was discovered just after 12am this morning.
Derbyshire Police stated: ‘Just after 12am on Monday 26 June officers attended a layby off the westbound carriageway of the A617, close to junction 29 of the M1, where a body believed to be Sarah was discovered.
‘Her family have been made aware, are being supported by specialist officers, and our thoughts are with them at this time.’
The discovery comes after a murder investigation was launched following a report on Friday 23 June that Sarah had not been seen since 9pm on Tuesday 20 June at her home in Norman Street, Ilkeston.
‘A man who was arrested on suspicion of the 31-year-old’s murder remains in police custody and a warrant of further detention has been authorised giving officers more time to question him.
‘Officers remain keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage of a blue Ford Transit van, registration beginning YP16, in the early hours of Wednesday 21 June around the area of J29 of the M1 and the A617 towards Chesterfield.
‘Anyone who has any information that may assist our investigation is asked to contact us using the methods below and quoting incident number 444 of 23 June.’
Ms Henshaw is described as white and of medium build with long, straight, dark hair which she wears in a bun.
The 31-year-old is thought to have been wearing a black lightweight coat, a khaki green top, blue skinny jeans, and black flat pumps when she disappeared and also has a tattoo on her right foot.
Detective Inspector Maria Pleace, of Derbyshire Police, said at the time of her disappearance: ‘We have information in relation to Sarah’s disappearance that has led us to believe that she may be seriously hurt or deceased.
‘Sarah’s disappearance is very out of character and finding her is our number one priority at this time.
‘I would like to appeal to the public for CCTV and dashcam footage … or any other information that may be of use to our investigation.’
