Leah Croucher may have been killed during sex attack, court hears

A teenager whose body was found more than three years after she went missing might have been killed during an “unwarranted sexual attack”, an inquest has heard.

Leah Croucher, 19, disappeared while walking to work on 15 February 2019 and her remains were discovered in a house in Milton Keynes less than half a mile (0.8km) from her home in October 2022.

Convicted sex offender Neil Maxwell, 49, who died in April 2019, was named as the only suspect by police following the discovery of Ms Croucher’s remains.

No medical cause of death could be identified, despite extensive testing, Milton Keynes Coroner’s Court heard.

Ms Croucher’s remains were discovered in the loft of a property on Loxbeare Drive in Furzton after a handyman visited the property, tasked with eradicating a smell.

Coroner Tom Osborne said her remains had been placed in plastic bags.

Maxwell was linked to the home as he had been a previous handyman for the property, which was used as a holiday home by overseas owners.

Det Supt Kevin Brown, of Thames Valley Police, said he believed Ms Croucher died on or close to the day she went missing.

Asked by the coroner if on the balance of probabilities she was killed by Maxwell, he said “absolutely”.

Caroline Haughey KC, representing Ms Croucher’s family asked if the detective believed it was “likely to be an unwarranted sexual attack and in fact because of her martial arts ability, she reacted and subsequently died?”.

Det Supt Brown said: “I believe she would have defended herself, that may have escalated the situation.”

The coroner’s court heard that police first received a phone call about Maxwell in relation to the Leah Croucher investigation in May 2019.

A murder investigation was launched in October 2022 with the discovery of her body.

The inquest continues.