Detectives probing the death of a young mother, whose body was discovered in a shallow grave almost two decades after she vanished, have pinpointed a suspect, an inquest has disclosed.
Malgorzata Wnuczek went missing in Leicester in 2006 and authorities unearthed remains believed to be hers in October this year, buried in a shallow grave in the city’s woodland.
Police have officially confirmed the identity of the remains as hers, and an inquest into the 27-year-old’s demise was initiated on Wednesday, revealing that Polish authorities have identified a suspect, as reported by Leicestershire Live.
During the inquest at Leicester Town Hall overseen by the city’s senior coroner, Professor Catherine Mason, it was disclosed that Malgorzata’s remains were found on October 7. Police discovered bones, women’s clothing, and a watch in the grave, with the watch matching one seen in an online photo of Malgorzata.
Professor Mason noted, “The watch appeared to be the same as a watch Malgorzata can be seen wearing in a picture on the internet.”
DNA evidence from a femur bone recovered from the grave was matched to a national database, confirming the remains belonged to Malgorzata. Although a post-mortem examination was conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary, the cause of death remains undetermined, with further bone analysis underway, as disclosed during the inquest.
Professor Mason announced during the brief hearing that the inquest would be postponed due to potential criminal proceedings related to Malgorzata’s death. She stated, “The police investigation has identified a suspect who now resides in Poland. A meeting will be convened with the Crown Prosecution Service and Polish authorities to review the evidence for potential prosecution in either country. As criminal charges may be brought, I must suspend this inquest.”
Malgorzata was last seen heading to catch a bus home after leaving her job in Braunstone Frith, Leicester, on May 31, 2006. The inquest revealed that she stayed in regular contact with her family in Poland while living and working in Leicester.
Her family reported her missing to Polish authorities after losing touch with her, leading to a shift from a missing persons inquiry to a “no body murder inquiry” in 2009. Following the case’s closure in 2013, new information obtained in 2021 from Polish police sparked renewed investigations and joint collaboration between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies.
In 2024, additional details emerged on a possible burial site for Malgorzata, ultimately leading to the discovery of her remains in October that year. At the time of her disappearance, she was known to be working extended hours and saving money to reunite with her daughter Ola in Poland.