The body found in the search for a mum who vanished a week ago is Rebecca Holdham, police have confirmed.
She was reported missing after her two children returned home at 10am on Sunday, September 7 to discover their mother wasn’t there.
The 38-year-old was last seen at an address on the Ockley Park estate, near the village of Hassocks in West Sussex.
Her body was was found yesterday by a farmer bringing his sheep into a field between Hassocks and Burgess Hill – a short walk from her last known sighting.
In a tribute released by Sussex Police today, Ms Holdham’s mother Alison said: ‘Becky was a devoted mother to her two daughters, a wonderful daughter and sister and much loved by her wider family. She will be sorely missed.’
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Ms Holdham’s death is currently being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious and the coroner has been informed, said police.
Following her disappearance, which was described as ”completely out of character’, a search operation was launched that included drones, dogs and a police helicopter.
Local residents also took part, scouring the countryside in their efforts to find the keen horsewoman as well as putting up several missing persons posters. .
Sussex Police told Metro: ‘The body of a woman found in Hassocks on Sunday (14 September) has been formally identified as 38-year-old Rebecca Holdham.
Rebecca’s next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this extremely difficult time.’
After she went missing, Ms Holdham’s close friend Kerry Malby said: ‘She’s a devoted mum and this is completely out of character. She wouldn’t just leave her children.
‘We can’t understand it. In a very short space of time, she has just completely vanished. We’ve no idea if she left of her own accord or if she’s been taken. People can’t just vanish into thin air.
‘She’s an amazing friend. She would normally have phoned me if something was wrong. I can’t understand why she wouldn’t call me.’
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