British police have identified the suspected murder victim found on the royal family’s Sandringham Estate as that of a 17-year-old girl from Latvia missing since August.
DNA tests confirmed that the body found on New Year’s Day is that of Alisa Dmitrijeva, according to a Jan. 8 statement from the Norfolk Constabulatory. Dmitrijeva was last seen Aug. 31 in King’s Lynn, which is about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northeast of London.
The body was found by a person walking their dog at Anmer, near Sandringham in West Norfolk and not far from King’s Lynn. Sandringham Estate is a sprawling territory of about 8,000 hectares (about 19,000 acres) that includes Sandringham House, the country retreat of Queen Elizabeth II.
Two days after discovery of the body, Norfolk police announced that is “highly unlikely” the victim died of natural causes.
“There is no evidence of accidental injury, damage due to firearms or bladed weapon,” according to a Jan. 3 police statement.
Dmitrijeva was born in Latvia and moved to Great Britain several years ago with her family, according to British media reports.
A relative reported her missing on Sept. 6, according to the Cambridgeshire Constabulary. After initial appeals for information on her whereabouts failed to garner solid information, police turned to Facebook and even offered a GBP 5,000 reward.
Police officials said repeatedly that they were concerned for Dmitrijeva’s safety.
A statement reported by Norfolk police, Dmitrijeva’s family said, “We are devastated by the news of Alisa’s death. We wish to grieve in private.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team said in a statement that he will be working with Cambridgeshire police to learn more about Dmitrijeva’s disappearance.
Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team at Norfolk Constabulary on +44 01953 424242, or Crimestoppers UK at +41 800 555 111.
Police in Great Britain have confirmed that a body found Jan. 1 is that of 17-year-old Alisa Dmitrijeva, who had been missing since August. (Photo courtesy Cambridgeshire Constabulary)
© 1995-2024 Latvians Online
Please contact us for editorial queries, or for permission to republish material. Disclaimer: The content of Web sites to which Latvians Online provides links does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Latvians Online, its staff or its sponsors.