Heartache continues for Katherine Crabb's family

Katherine's remains were discovered in dense undergrowth in an area of woodland just off Cote Street in High Salvington on Sunday, March 13, almost a year after she went missing.

Police have told the Durrington family they expect a post-mortem examination to be carried out by the end of this week, which may reveal how she died.

The Crabb family have to wait for the police to finish their tests before they can start to plan a funeral.

Detectives said last week they were keeping an open mind about how the 23-year-old met her death.

Detective Sergeant Rob Walker told the Herald on Tuesday: "We expect a post-mortem examination to be carried out by the end of Thursday but we are obviously not aware of the commitments of the Home Office pathologist who will carry it out. It is not until that is done that we can comment further.

"We are very mindful of the wait and the family have shown a great deal of patience. This is an unavoidable timescale. We have met with the family and they understand the situation."

Police used dental records to identify Katherine, who suffered from an obsessive compulsive disorder. She disappeared from the family home in Welland Road, Durrington, on April 21, telling her parents she was going to spend the night with a friend.

Katherine's mum, Gaynor Bryant, last week released an emotional poem about her daughter, saying she had suffered but "now she was at peace". She said: "Our lives are empty and lonely without you."