The parents of Leah Croucher, John and Claire, have today (15/2) released a statement on the third anniversary of her disappearance from Milton Keynes.
"It has been three long, desolate years since our beautiful and wonderful daughter Leah, vanished without a trace on her way to work. We still have no answers as to why. No clues as to what happened. No idea as to where or how she is.
It is impossible to stay positive after all this time, it was difficult at the start of this, but now, the task is so futile, our lives are so bleak. It is harder each day to tell ourselves that today will be the day that we get answers, today we find out what happened three years ago. Today we get our treasured daughter back.
It is unimaginable to convince ourselves that this is not a lie we tell ourselves so that we get out of bed each day. Each day is torture. Each day feels like an eternity of pain and despair.
Our family read everything that is written about Leah, both in the press and on social media. We are aware of the fake profiles that have been made claiming that Leah was pregnant and has run away, aware of the speculation that she is buried on farmland on Eaton Bray, aware that people are saying that she ran after married, older Muslim men as she had a thing for them.
We find this upsetting, hurtful and disrespectful. None of this is true, all of it is vicious rumour and speculation.
We would appreciate that if people have nothing pleasant to say, that they say nothing at all. Our daughter has done nothing to deserve this and neither have her family who are forced to tolerate this vile behaviour.
It is inconceivable not to worry every second of every single day. Sleep feels an elusive character each night, waking each morning we never feel rested and refreshed.
Each time the phone rings or there is a knock at the front door, our hearts still leap in our chests.
That familiar surge of hope springing up in our throats. That familiar wave of despair that crashes over our very souls each time
It is not the police or Leah herself knocking at the door or calling on the phone.
Again, we ask for the public’s help. You have all been so wonderful so far, still helping us search every face in the streets to see if they are Leah, still sharing on social media, still reporting possible sightings to the police.
We ask you to search your phones for pictures taken on the evening of 2 February 2019 outside the Jury’s Inn/Travel Lodge and the morning of 15 February 2019, in the Furtzon area.
Search your memories to see if you can remember one thing that may help the police in their search.
Please contact the police with anything you know, even if it seems small and insignificant. You are our only hope, you always have been.
Leah, we only want to know you are safe and well. All you have to do is walk into a police station and tell them who you are and ask them to pass the message onto us that you want to stay away, you choose to remain apart from all who love and cherish you, that you do not want to come home.
Please, we miss you so much. We are so worried about you. If you left us all that day, please let us know that it was your choice, because until that day happens, we will not stop.
We will continue with the social media posts, the TV, radio and press interviews, the begging for news and information.
We love you too much to give up and stop looking for answers."
#comehomeLeah
Thames Valley Police have today (15/02) renewed their appeal to the public to help to locate Leah Croucher.
Anyone who has information that could lead to the force locating Leah Croucher, is asked to contact 101 quoting reference number 43190049929, or Operation Dawlish.
Information can be left via our dedicated website for this investigation, which is https://mipp.police.uk/operation/43H218A55-PO1/.
