POLICE searching for a woman who vanished more than a year ago have found human remains after a murder probe was launched.
Norma Girolami, 70, was last seen in August 2021 following a visit to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.
All communication stopped after the pensioner returned to her home in leafy Highgate, North London.
The Met today confirmed human remains have been found after searches were carried out a graveyard earlier this week.
A police cordon was erected at St Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Friern Barnet.
Her family has been notified with the body formally identified as Norma.
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Officers have now issued a fresh appeal for information following the tragic discovery.
Norma took a train from Barking to Leigh-on-Sea on August 19 last year before returning home to affluent Highgate later that day.
Her communication stopped that same evening and she was reported missing on September 20.
Norma had disappeared without saying goodbye to her loved ones and there was still food in her fridge.
In a chilling twist, it then emerged she had taken out a £35,000 loan after going missing.
Police launched a “no body” murder probe due to a lack of “proof of life”.
Serkan Kaygusuz, 41, was charged with murder and is due to go on trial in February next year.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said: “Despite accepting that Norma was no longer alive, I know that her family are deeply affected by the news that her remains have been found. Our thoughts are very much with them.
“My team has spent more than a year searching for Norma and there is a sense of relief that we have found her remains which will undergo forensic examination in due course.
“Despite this discovery, I would still be very keen to hear from anyone who knew Norma, either in London or at Leigh on Sea who can provide information on anything that was happening in her life in August last year.
“I am also appealing for anyone who saw any activity around the Churchyard in Friern Barnet Lane, N20 between August and October last year.
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“Norma’s family and friends have endured a year of not knowing what had happened to her and our investigation remains ongoing. If you have any information, no matter how small a detail it may seem, please do get in touch.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101.
