POLICE searching for missing teen Leah Croucher have launched a murder probe after her rucksack was found at a home three years after she vanished.
Officers were scrambled to the property in Furzton in Milton Keynes two days ago after receiving a tip-off from a member of the public.
They confirmed today they have found a rucksack and personal possessions belonging to Leah, who disappeared on February 15, 2019, aged 19.
Thames Valley Police have now launched a murder investigation as a result of the grim discovery.
Leah's family have been informed the development with searches ongoing at the home, which is close to one of the last sightings of the teen.
The force said they will remain at the address for a "significant period of time".
Head of Crime for Thames Valley Police, Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said: “Following a call to police on Monday, we attended an address and located items of concern within the property.
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“We are dealing with a very difficult scene but we can now confirm that we have discovered a number of items that are linked to Leah, and as such, we have now launched a murder investigation, led by our Major Crime Unit.
“Leah’s family have been kept updated and continue to be supported by officers, and we are urging the public and media to think of her family and not to speculate further while this investigation is in the early stages.
“We will provide further updates when we are able to do so."
Leah was last seen on February 15 in Milton Keynes as she walked to work in a finance firm.
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She told her family the day before she was meeting a friend but that never happened.
CCTV showed her walking down Buzzacott Lane in Furzton, believed to be in the direction of her work, at about 8.15am the next day.
A huge search was launched with extensive social media appeals and posters pinned up in the area but there have been no confirmed sightings and no leads.
The home currently being searched by police on Loxbeare Drive is 0.4miles from Buzzacott Lane.
It is also near Furzton Lake, where three people said they saw a woman "crying" – although it was never confirmed if this was Leah.
Divers searched the lake as part of the massive missing person's inquiry but no trace of Leah was found.
Cops also used dogs, drones and helicopters to scour every inch of the route Leah would have walked as well as the surrounding area.
Tragically, Leah's brother Haydon Croucher, 24, ended his life after being "tortured" by not knowing what happened to his sister.
He was found hanged at his flat in November 2019 by his mum Tracey Furness – the day before the nine-month anniversary of Leah's disappearance.
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