Human remains found in search for Polish woman who disappeared 15 years ago
Izabela Helena Zablocka came to the UK in 2009 from Poland and was living in the Normanton area of Derby, but lost contact with her family in August 2010, Derbyshire Police said.
Despite her family's efforts to trace her, Ms Zablocka has never been found and a missing person report was not made to any UK authorities at the time.
A murder investigation was launched last week after police said new information came to light.
After searches focused at an address in Princes Street, Normanton, human remains were discovered in the property's garden which are thought to be those of Ms Zablocka, the force said.
A 39-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of murder was re-arrested on Monday.
Two other women, aged 39 and 43, and a 41-year-old man who were previously arrested last week remain on bail.
Detective Inspector Kane Martin said: 'Izabela's family are at the forefront of our minds following this discovery and, whilst formal identification has not yet taken place, it is our belief that these remains do belong to Izabela.
'As such, we have spoken with Izabela's family in Poland, and they are aware. Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.
'Identification of the remains is likely to be a lengthy process, but we will issue updates when we are able.
'I know that reports of these findings will send shockwaves through the local community, and I understand the concern of residents.'
Officers will remain in Princes Street in the coming days with detectives putting together information about the days before Izabela's death, DI Martin said.
He added: 'We know that someone out there will have information about Izabela that may help us understand what happened to her, and urge anyone who saw, spoke to, or heard anything about Izabela in July or August 2010 to come forward.
'You may hold the key piece of information that we need to understand the full circumstances of Izabela's disappearance, and to give her family answers on what happened to their loved one.'
Crimestoppers is offering up to £20,000 for exclusive information relating to the investigation that leads to a conviction, with the reward valid for three months until August 27.
Anyone with information can contact the charity via its website Crimestoppers-uk.org, or by calling 0800 555 111.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Police are looking into an industrial estate robbery in Caswell Way
On Monday June 2 four unknown men reportedly took a significant amount of cash from a parked van in the Reevesland Industrial Estate Caswell Way at around 3.20pm The men arrived and left the scene in a Blue Audi S3 - licence plate MH16 00A. Police are appealing for witnesses and want to establish the movements of the car, before and after the report of the robbery. All four men wore face coverings and were dressed all in black – black trousers, hooded tops, and trainers. The car was later found abandoned in Lysaght Village, Newport and it is believed that the men left the area in a different vehicle. Two men, aged 34 and 38, from Bristol were arrested on suspicion of robbery and remain in police custody. Senior investigating officer, DCI David Morris said: 'We're trying to establish the movements of the car, and the four men, before and after the report of the robbery. 'We're asking for businesses and motorists who were in the Reevesland Industrial Estate between 2pm and 3.30pm on Monday 2 June to check their CCTV and dashcam footage. 'We'd also ask that residents of Lysaght Village and the surrounding areas also check their CCTV and come forward if they have seen anything suspicious over the last few days to help with our investigation.' Police are trying to find this car in connection with a van robbery (Image: Gwent Police) Anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage, can send footage via the Major Incident Public Portal: Police can also be contacted via 101, or by sending a direct message on social media, quoting log reference 2500173933. Alternatively, you can also get in touch anonymously through Crimestoppers.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Playing 'snog, marry, avoid' with colleagues at work could be sexual harassment and may breach the Equality Act, judge rules
Playing 'snog, marry, avoid' with work colleagues could be sexual harassment, a tribunal has ruled. The risqué quiz involves naming three people and then asking a person to pick which one you would like to kiss, which one you would get married to and which one you would steer clear of altogether. It has appeared in popular culture, including in BBC hit comedy Gavin and Stacey, when Pam, Mick, Gavin and Smithy played a version of it featuring celebrities during a car ride from Essex to Wales. However an Employment Judge has said the game may breach the Equality Act. The ruling came in the case of a police officer who sued Derbyshire Police after a female colleague involved him in a game - using images of sex workers. The officer admitted to the tribunal that she had 'jokingly' played the game with co-workers and included PC Shafarat Mohammed in their discussion. Employment Judge Stephen Shore suggested that the officers may have referred to the game, which has several names, by a cruder version. PC Mohammed claimed that during the discussion in May or June 2022 he was only shown images of black women and was asked what he liked about one of them. He said he was 'embarrassed' and 'offended' by the questioning and felt it was inappropriate. Another officer at Pear Tree Station in Derby, PC Kate Northridge, candidly admitted to the hearing in Nottingham that a group of officers played the game with suspect photos. She said she had been the one to include PC Mohammed in the game but she had not asked him specific questions about any of the images. Speaking about snog, marry, avoid, EJ Shore said: 'The game was crass and inappropriate. 'It casts no one who participated in it in a good light. EJ Shore said it was possible 'that the conduct that is agreed could constitute harassment of a sexual nature'. However, he added 'no such claim was made' by PC Mohammed, who had launched his claim for racial discrimination and not sexual harassment. 'We agree with [him] that the questions were inappropriate,' EJ Shore added. The tribunal heard that PC Mohammed joined the force in November 2021 and completed his training in March the next year. He resigned less than a year later, in September 2022, and then made an employment tribunal claim for racial discrimination and harassment. The tribunal found there was no racial or religious element to it as the sex workers were of varying ethnicities. They also concluded that he was not asked questions about a specific black sex worker and that his credibility was undermined by a lack of consistency between his different accounts. PC Mohammed made several allegations including that a colleague called him a 'road man', he was 'humiliated' for eating home-made food, and told he was 'shit'. The officer also claimed that another PC said the custody team was 'all black and ethnics', he was asked about his familiarity with alcohol, and that he had been ostracised from team events. However, the tribunal found these allegations were either entirely fabricated by PC Mohammed or were given 'a retrospective gloss of alleged discrimination' in his witness statements which often contradicted each other.
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Man arrested in Glasgow amid suspected 'gang war'
Police raided a property in the city on the evening of Thursday, May 29. Officers say a 20-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with alleged fire-raising at a house on Drumchapel Road on May 13. He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on May 30. Cops confirmed extensive enquiries into a number of linked 'violent incidents' in the West and East of Scotland remain ongoing. The latest arrest brings the total to 42. A dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to work together to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols. READ NEXT: Glasgow sex attacker raped woman he met on Tinder dating app Over the course of the investigation, more than 8000 homes have been visited, and more than 1600 vehicles have been stopped as officers continue to gather information. Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: 'I want to be clear that violence will not be tolerated, and we will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice. 'We are still following positive lines of enquiry, and this arrest highlights our continued resolve to target organised crime. 'The support of our communities remains vital, and I want to again express my sincere thanks to the public for their continued help and information so far. 'If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.' Anyone with any information is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, March 21, 2025. Alternatively, information can be passed on anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
