The remains of a woman who disappeared almost two decades ago after sending a text to her family have been discovered in scrubland in Leicester. Malgorzata Wnuczek, a Polish citizen, went missing on May 31, 2006, at the age of 27. She was last seen taking a bus from her workplace at Peter Jackson Logistics on Sunningdale Road in Leicester to the city center.
The last communication she had with her family, known as Gosia to them, was through a text message two days before she vanished. Leicestershire Police announced in October that the remains were found in scrubland near Watkin Road, off the Great Central Way, and were sent for forensic analysis.
Specialist officers found the remains during a renewed search into her disappearance on September 30, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. Following information from Polish authorities, searches were conducted in June 2023 along the River Soar between the bridges in Mill Lane and Upperton Road. A 39-year-old man from Greater Manchester was arrested on suspicions of aiding an offender and obstructing justice but was subsequently released with no further action. A report is being compiled for the coroner.
Detective Superintendent Jenni Greenway expressed condolences to Malgorzata’s family, acknowledging that while the discovery ends years of uncertainty, it may not provide closure. The investigation into her death remains active, with ongoing collaboration with Polish authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding Malgorzata’s disappearance.
Concerns were raised about the number of missing individuals who face harm and neglect, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive government strategy involving the Home Office, Education, and Health departments to address this crisis. The call is for a national strategy for missing persons, support for their return, and investments to prevent future disappearances.
A petition has been initiated to urge the government to take action, with milestones of 10,000 signatures prompting a response and 100,000 leading to parliamentary debate. Those interested can support the cause by signing the petition.