14 August

Police can confirm that two men, a 28 year old and 31 year old, arrested on suspicion of the murder of Alisa Dmitrijeva answered their bail today.

They have been informed that they are no longer under arrest in relation to her murder. However, they remain on bail and the investigation continues with a view to a file being submitted to Crown Prosecution Service with regards to any other offences that may have been committed in connection with Alisa’s death. Her death is still being treated as suspicious.

The two men have been bailed until September.

 

3 July

Two men arrested on suspicion of the murder of Alisa Dmitrijeva have been rebailed today.

The men, aged 28 and 31 and from the Wisbech area, were arrested in King’s Lynn on Tuesday 1 May 2012.

Both men have been re-bailed until August pending further enquiries.

 

1 May 2012 19.53

Two men arrested on suspicion of the murder of Alisa Dmitrijeva have been released on police bail.

The men, aged 28 and 31 and from the Wisbech area, were arrested in King’s Lynn earlier today, Tuesday 1 May 2012.

Both men have been released on bail until July.

 

1 May 2012

Two men have today been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Alisa Dmitrijeva.

Human remains were found by a dog walker in a copse on arable land at Anmer, near Sandringham, on Sunday 1 January 2012. A DNA profile and a palm print identified the remains as those of 17-year-old Alisa, who was reported missing from Wisbech on 6 September 2011.

The men, aged 28 and 31 and from the Wisbech area, were arrested in King's Lynn and are currently in custody where they will be questioned.

 

11 April 2012

Officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Alisa Dmitrijeva, whose body was found in West Norfolk at the beginning of the year. 

Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry, who is leading the enquiry, said: “Work continues to take place studying soil and debris samples found in the car to identify the pollen and spores in them.

"These will then be compared with the results from the samples taken at Anmer. This process of analysis is a long and detailed one and if a link is identified, it could be a significant step forward in the enquiry.

"Other lines of enquiry continue to be progressed including the reviewing of CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses. I am particularly keen to speak with people who attended the party at Snettisham beach in the evening of 30 August into 31 and would ask that they contact the police directly.”

 

15 March 2012

Officers from the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team have made an important forensic breakthrough into the investigation of the death of Alisa Dmitrijeva, whose body was found in West Norfolk at the beginning of the year. 

The bottle green P-registration Lexus GS300 that Alisa was last seen in on 31 August 2011 was recovered at the end of January from a scrapyard in the Wisbech area and is still being forensically examined. 

Additionally, early results from the forensic palynologist, who specialises in identifying pollen and spores, has indicated that there is a very rare composition of spores from fungi at the site where Alisa’s body was found. The pollen types found at the scene, though not unusual in themselves, are also of an unusual distribution. 

Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry, who is leading the enquiry, commented on the discovery saying, “Work is currently being carried out on  soil and debris samples found in the car to identify the pollen and spores in them. These will then be compared with the results from the samples taken at Anmer. This may take several weeks to analyse and if a link is identified, it could be a significant step forward in the enquiry.” 

 

26 January 2012

Officers from Norfolk Constabulary are following a new line of enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Alisa Dmitrijeva.

It has been established during the investigation into Alisa's death, that she is likely to have spent time in the early hours of 31 August 2011 in Snettisham beach car park.

Searches will take place today, with specially trained officers looking for her mobile phone and other objects which may have belonged to her.

DCI Fry again reiterated his appeal to local communities around activities in the area at that time, including sightings of the bottle green P-registration Lexus GS300 that Alisa was last seen in.

 

19 January 2012

As Norfolk Constabulary continues the investigation into the murder of 17-year-old Alisa Dmitrijeva, her grandmother has issued a tribute to her 'beautiful' granddaughter and appeals for help in catching those responsible for her murder.

Officers from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team continue to carry out inquiries to establish exactly what happened to Alisa.

DCI Jes Fry, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are very encouraged by the 70 calls and messages we have received since we identified Alisa, these are being followed up by a team of officers making ongoing inquiries into Alisa’s disappearance and death.

"I would still ask the local communities in Wisbech and King’s Lynn to think back to the August bank holiday and following week in September last year.

“As well as sightings of Alisa herself, I am particularly keen to try to find her black LG GM360 mobile phone, or to hear of any sightings of the bottle green P-registration Lexus GS300 that Alisa was last seen in in King’s Lynn on 31 August 2011.”

 

10 January 2012

Appeals directly to the Latvian, Lithuanian and Russian communities in the King’s Lynn and Wisbech areas are being issued by Norfolk Police as the murder inquiry into the death of 17-year-old Alisa Dmitrijeva continues.

Following extensive local, national and international coverage of the case in English, posters have been produced in Latvian, Lithuanian and Russian to appeal to those communities to come forward with information.

Alisa and her family came to the UK from Latvia in 2009. DCI Jes Fry hopes that people from within these communities in King’s Lynn and Wisbech may be able to assist: “Alisa socialised within her own ethnic community and so those people may remember seeing her in the timeframe we’re looking at, between midday on Tuesday 30 August 2011 and midnight on Tuesday 6 September 2011, or may have heard something about her disappearance and death.

“A poster has been produced which will be displayed around Wisbech and King’s Lynn in key locations. I would encourage anyone with any information, however small or insignificant it may seem, to call us on 101.

"We have access to a language line and interpreters who can help anyone calling Norfolk Constabulary. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

 

9 January 2012

Members of the public could provide key information which may assist officers in finding out exactly what happened to 17-year-old Alisa Dmitrijeva, whose remains were found in Anmer on New Year’s Day.

DCI Jes Fry said: “Now that we have identified Alisa, we can carry out more focused inquiries to establish what happened to her. We particularly want to speak to anyone who may have seen Alisa between midday on Tuesday 30 August 2011 and midnight on Tuesday 6 September 2011.

“We know she was in both the King’s Lynn and Wisbech areas during this time, and want to hear from anyone who has any information about her whereabouts over these eight days.

“We particularly want to speak to people within the Latvian, Lithuanian and Russian communities in these areas, and are working with local groups and individuals who may be able to assist. We have access to a language line and interpreters who can help anyone calling in with information to Norfolk Constabulary.

“We are also still keen to speak to anyone who was working in the Anmer area, specifically between 30 August and 6 September 2011, and anyone who held or was involved in organising any kind of function at Sandringham or neighbouring parishes during that time."

Norfolk Constabulary is liaising closely with Cambridgeshire Police, and all information relating to the missing person inquiry into Alisa’s disappearance is being shared between forces to inform the murder investigation. Norfolk Constabulary is now leading these inquiries.

 

8 January 2012

Detectives investigating the murder of a young woman have today formally identifed the victim as 17-year-old Alisa Dmitrijeva.

The body of a young woman was found by a dog walker in woodland at Anmer, near Sandringham in West Norfolk, on New Year's Day.

Following initial tests obtain a full DNA profile, identification of the victim has been made by comparing detail from her palm with records held which have been further verified by DNA from her femur.

Today Norfolk Constabulary has confirmed that the victim is Alisa, from Wisbech, who was reported missing from home in August. 

"I shall now be liaising with officers from Cambridgeshire who have been working on trying to locate Alisa in recent months as a missing person. The information they provide will give me and the team an extra focus to the enquiry."

DCI Jes Fry, senior investigating officer

DCI Jes Fry, said: “Family Liasion Officers have been sent to meet with close family this morning (Sunday 8 January) to provide the update.

"I shall now be liaising with officers from Cambridgeshire who have been working on trying to locate Alisa in recent months as a missing person. The information they provide will give me and the team an extra focus to the enquiry.

“I should also add we are still trying to establish any activity which took place on or around the site during the time frame of the end of August to the end of September 2011.

We would like to identify people who may have worked in that area or were involved in organising or running any specific events that may have taken place.”

In a statement, Alisa's family said: “We are devastated by the news of Alisa’s death. We wish to grieve in private."

 

7 January

Officers have completed a detailed search of the site at Anmer, where the body of female was found on the afternoon of Sunday 1 January 2012.

Samples which were taken from the tooth, femur and muscle of the calf to test did not provide a usable DNA profile and further tests on a part of the bone are currently taking place. These tests involve the bone being broken down into a powder and then analysed.

Checks on this sample, once it is available, will be made against the DNA database. If the profile is not on the database, action will be taken to prioritise potential nominals within our (HOLMES) database to obtain DNA from their possessions or family members.

A specialist from the Natural History Museum also visited the site yesterday, Friday 6 January, to carry out further entomological tests – the study of insects and their life span - to establish further details around the time frame that the victim had been at that site.

DCI Jes Fry appealed for further information saying: “We have made a substantial amount of progress in this investigation. The identity of the victim, once we have that information, will also make a significant difference to the enquiry.

"In the meantime, we are still trying to establish any activity which took place on or around the site during the time frame given. We would like to identify people who may have worked in that area or were involved in organising or running any specific events that may have taken place, initially concentrating from the period of the end of August to the end of September 2011.”

 

6 January 2012: 10:37

A senior detective of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team today reminded members of the media that we are talking about the potential murder or of a young woman and a number of families are anxiously awaiting the identification.

"We would be interested to hear from anyone who held or was involved in organising any kind of function at Sandringham or neighbouring parishes."

DCI Jes Fry

Speaking at a media briefing at Norfolk Constabulary's Wymondham HQ Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry also stressed that speculation about who the Anmer victim may be is unhelpful and does not offer such families any reassurance.

Human remains were found by a dog walker in a copse on arable land at Anmer, near Sandringham, on Sunday 1 January 2012.  Police were informed shortly after 4pm.

The scene was immediately cordoned off and a forensic examination was carried out using relevant experts and a finger tip search of the area was undertaken. 

DCI Fry said: "My job, as senior investigating officer, is to remain objective and deal in facts to ensure the right outcome.

"Myself and my team will be doing everything we can, to identify the victim, find out what happened to her and to move this investigation forward."

A Home Office post-mortem was carried out by Dr Nat Cary, assisted by Dr Julie Roberts, a forensic anthropologist. This established:

Remains were of white, Caucasoid, female aged between 15 and 23.

• With high cheek bones
• 5ft 4in to 5ft 6in
• In situ between 1 and 4 months
• Highly unlikely that death was through natural causes
• No evidence of injury through firearms or bladed weapon or other trauma such as broken bones.

 

DNA profiling and science

Samples were taken from the tooth, femur and muscle of the calf to test for a DNA profile. The first two sets of tests have not yet revealed a usable DNA profile. 

DCI Fry, added: "Our next step is to carry out a different test on the bone, which takes longer. I am confident we will yield a usable DNA profile shortly.

"When this happens, we will be checking this sample against the DNA database before prioritising potential nominals within our (HOLMES) database to obtain DNA from their possessions or family members."

A specialist from the Natural History Museum will be visiting the site today Friday 6 January 2012 to carry out further entomological tests – the study of insects and their life span.

Appealing directly to the public DCI Fry added: "We are looking to identify people that have worked in that area, within the relevant time frame.

"We are also looking to identify any specific events that may have taken place, initially concentrating from the period of the end of August to the end of September 2011.

"We would be interested to hear from anyone who held or was involved in organising any kind of function at Sandringham or neighbouring parishes."

 

4 January 2012: 17:30

Results from samples which were taken during the Post Mortem yesterday afternoon have not provided a DNA profile, and therefore the identity of the victim has not been established.

Further testing is being carried out, which will take an additional 24 hours before results are available. Officers will also look at more traditional methods of identifying the victim, which may take longer.

Further searches of the area around the site, off Kings Avenue in the village near King's Lynn, will continue tomorrow.

 

4 January 2012: 12:00

Detectives from the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a female whose body was discovered at Anmer on Sunday 1 January 2012.

The body is described as a young, white, adult female, aged between 15 and 23 years old, which has been at that site for a period estimated to be between a month and up to four months.

Further searches of the area around the site, off Kings Avenue in the village near King's Lynn continue.

 

3 January 2012: 18:00

Detectives from the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team have released further information following a post mortem examination this afternoon of the human remains found at Anmer.

The body is that of a young adult female which has been at that site for a period estimated at between a month and up to four months.

The Forensic Pathologist believes it is highly unlikely the death was through natural causes. There is no evidence of accidental injury, damage due to firearms or bladed weapon.

Samples have been taken which should provide a DNA profile within the next 24 hours.

 

3 January 2012: 12:00

Detectives from Norfolk Constabulary have confirmed they have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of human remains in an area of woodland in Anmer, near King's Lynn.

Examinations of the scene are being conducted by forensic experts in pathology and anthropology and should be completed today.

A post mortem is due to take this place this afternoon (Tuesday 3 January).

 

2 January 2012

Detectives from Norfolk Constabulary have launched an investigation following the discovery of human remains in an area of woodland at Anmer, near King’s Lynn.

The remains were found by a member of the public who reported the incident to police on Sunday 1 January shortly after 4pm.

The area has been sealed off and a detailed search is currently being carried out.