A BODY has been found in the search for a missing woman whose car had been found abandoned near a remote running trail.
Jenny Hall, 23, had last been seen leaving her home in Tow Law, County Durham, just after 3pm on Tuesday, February 18.
An extensive police search was carried out for the keen long-distance runner after her car was found abandoned on the B6278 between Eggleston and Stanhope one day after she was last seen.
But today, police confirmed a body was found at 9:30am in a “very remote” area in Teesdale.
The body is yet to be formally identified but the young woman’s family have been notified.
Police said it was not treating her death as suspicious and that a file will be sent to the coroner.
A spokesperson for Durham police said: “We’re sorry to report that officers searching for missing woman Jenny Hall, have sadly found a body.
“Officers carried out an extensive search alongside specialist partners and have been working around-the-clock to locate Jenny after she went missing on February 18.
“The body was found in a very remote area in Teesdale just after 9.30am today (February 23).
“Formal identification has yet to take place.
“Jenny’s family have been notified and are currently being supported by specialist officers and our thoughts remain with them.
“It is not believed there are any suspicious circumstances.
“We would particularly like to thank the public for all their help in sharing our appeal and the expert mountain rescue teams and other organisations who have been working intensively alongside officers on the ground.”
Specially-trained police, mountain rescue teams, and the coastguard had all been involved to try and find Jenny.
Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT) said it had scoured an area of moorland between Eggleston and Stanhope on Wednesday.
Cops were also scouring running trails in between Eggleston and Hamsterley, Durham, which Jenny frequently used.
Officers had already covered more than 100 miles of track by Friday in the Teesdale area to try and find Jenny.
They had even deployed sniffer dogs near where she parked her car.
Mountain rescue teams and police had been working with air support in challenging weather conditions in a bid to find the young woman.
Durham Constabulary had previously revealed that Jenny, who is 6ft tall with long dark hair, was a keen long-distance runner.
She had last been seen wearing a blue hoodie with a John Deere logo and dark jogging bottoms.
Her family previously confirmed she may have also been carrying a green jacket and had her hair up in a ponytail.
Police had believed Jenny may have been heading to the Barnard Castle area when she left home in her red Ford Focus.
Timeline of events
- Tuesday, 18 February: Jenny Hall was last seen leaving her home at 3pm
- Wednesday, 19 February: A red Ford Focus was found parked on the B6278, between Eggleston and Stanhope
- An extensive search was launched involving specially-trained police and mountain rescue teams as well as the coastguard
- Thursday, 20 February: Cops said they were carrying out a wide sweep of the Teesdale area
- Friday, 21 February: Police expressed strong concern for the young woman’s welfare saying they are “determine to do everything we can do to find her”.
- XXXXXXXX: Jenny’s body is found in XXXXXXX
A spokesperson for the force had confirmed digital intelligence officers were conducting enquiries into Jenny’s digital devices.
Their searches into her mobile phone, smart watch, and running apps failed to provide any results.
Chief Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, of Durham Constabulary, said previously: “We have become increasingly concerned for Jenny since she was reported missing on Tuesday and have been exploring all lines of enquiry, including dozens from members of the public.
“We are focussing our search on areas we know Jenny likes to run through and we are determined to do everything we can to find her.
“I would like to thank everyone who is working around-the-clock in our search and efforts to reunite Jenny with her family.”
A spokesperson for Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team added: “Many thanks to the local farmers and gamekeepers who have provided invaluable assistance over the last two days and also to Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team,
“Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team, Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team and Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team.”
