Sarah Mayhew’s family have been told of the charges and continue to be supported by the Met Police
Detectives investigating human remains discovered in a field near New Addington have identified the man and woman charged with murder. Gemma Saundercock, 48, of Holmbury Grove, Forestdale, Croydon, and Steve Samson, 44, of Burnell Road, Sutton, have been charged with the murder of Sarah Mayhew, whose remains were discovered in Rowdowns Field, Croydon.
They will appear in jail at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 9, accused with murder and preventing a lawful and appropriate burial of a dead. Samson has also been charged with three counts of creating indecent pictures of children. These charges are unrelated to the murder investigation at this time.
The family of 38-year-old Sarah, who lived in Croydon, has been told of the accusations, and officers are in close communication with them to support them during this difficult time. Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, who oversees policing in Croydon, said: “I’d like to thank the investigators and officers across the Met Police whose experience has enabled this prompt and thorough inquiry.
The local community has also been incredibly supportive as officers carried out this important task, and we are grateful for their efforts. My heartfelt condolences to Sarah’s family, and we will continue to support them as the inquiry continues.”
Met Police officers were alerted at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, when the first remains were located in a field alongside Lodge Lane. An interactive map of Rowdown Fields depicted where the police expert teams were actively searching for evidence, as well as the areas that were roped off. The police conducted their operation from the car park, which is accessible from Lodge Lane near the roundabout connecting to Kent Gate Way.
On Wednesday morning (April 3), forensic officers arrived at the location and placed evidence markers among shrubs along the field’s border. Police also employed dogs to search the area on Thursday, after Scotland Yard revealed a murder inquiry on Wednesday afternoon.
Anyone who has information that could help the investigation but has yet to speak with police is encouraged to phone 101 and quote reference 1656/02Apr.
