Human leg found in Manchester river belonged to missing mother of two

Police reveal recovered body part from 58-year-old Marie Scott, not seen for almost a year

Mother of two went missing shortly before Christmas last year (Missing People)

A human leg found in a river has been confirmed to be the limb of a woman who went missing from her home in Greater Manchester a year ago.

Police were called after human remains were seen in a stretch of the River Irwell close to Whit Lane in the Salford area shortly before 9am on Wednesday.

DNA testing then confirmed the leg belonged to Marie Scott, who was reported missing from her home in Hale near Altrincham on 18 December last year, said Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

The family of the 58-year-old mother of two were said to be “distraught” at the news of the discovery.

The force said an investigation is ongoing, but at this stage there is no reason to believe there was any foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Detective Inspector Simon Akker, of GMP’s Trafford Borough, said: “This is an absolutely heartbreaking development in the investigation to find Marie, and her family are understandably distraught by the news.

“Having been personally involved in the search to find Marie and met with her family on a number of occasions, I know the devastating impact this will have on them.

“Our efforts now will focus on doing everything we can to ensure we can provide the family with the support and answers they deserve.”

Police divers spent several hours searching an area of the river near the Jubilee Bridge after the discovery of the leg.

Ms Scott was last seen on Rochdale Road in Bury. She was captured on CCTV walking towards a shop at The Rock shopping centre.