A pond in Ramsbury has become the focus of a major police investigation, after boots belonging to murdered 22-year-old office worker Sian O’Callaghan were found, along with a shotgun.
Police confirmed this afternoon (Wednesday) that a total of 60 pieces of material – some of them items of women’s clothing – had been found at or near the pond, which was drained following the discovery of the boots on Wednesday last week.
The items were removed for forensic testing. Meanwhile, Hilldrop Lane and the area around the pond remains closed.
Police today said they were keeping an ‘open mind’ about the pieces of material, which included a chunky knit cardigan that – they confirmed – did not belong to Sian, who was abducted and brutally murdered in March 2011 after leaving a Swindon nightclub.
“Specialist search teams have been draining the pond so that fingertip searches can take place of the silt at the bottom,” confirmed a police spokesperson.
“Officers have also discovered a pile of material, possibly women’s clothing, 100 yards away from the pond.
“Buried under a few inches of mud, detectives have removed the material, amounting up to 60 pieces, some of which are believed to be clothes.
“The items will be sent for forensic testing but officers are keeping an open mind as to why they are there and that they may not be linked to the investigation.
“Detectives are keeping an open mind around all of the findings and as to why the shotgun or clothing might be at the location.”
Police have never recovered Sian’s LG E900 mobile phone, which was on in the Savernake Forest on the day of her disappearance. They hope any finds will give them a better understanding of exactly when and where Sian was killed.
Days after Sian’s disappearance, Swindon taxi driver Christopher Halliwell was arrested in connection with her murder, and led police to a shallow grave in a field near Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire.
In October 2012 Halliwell pleaded guilty to her murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years, when he appeared before Bristol Crown Court.
