Man arrested in murder investigation after woman's skeleton found on Essex island

Angela Millington was last seen in Southend around November last year

Angela Millington's remains were found on Foulness Island in Essex (PA)

A man is being held by police over the discovery of a homeless woman's washed up skeleton on an Essex island after she disappeared last year.

The 51-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder after remains of Angela Millington, 33, from Southend, were found by passers-by on Foulness Island on 21 June.

The suspect from Westcliff-on-Sea has been taken in for questioning at Southend Police Station.

Miss Millington had no fixed address and was known to mix with street drinkers and homeless people, Essex Police said.

She was last seen alive when she visited a housing officer in Westcliff on November 21 2013, when she also withdrew money from her bank account and stopped using her mobile phone by the end of the month.

A police officer was said to have spotted her in the Porters Grange area of Southend on 6 January this year, Mail Online reported.

No belongings or clothes were found nearby, suggesting that her dead body was taken to the salt marsh island, although is not known how long her remains were there before discovery.

Police and forensic expert examine the scene where the bones were found in Essex (PA)

Speaking earlier this week, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett said: "We have launched a murder investigation as we don't know what happened to Angela.

"We are keeping all lines of inquiry open. Anyone with any information, no matter how small, could help us to discover how Angela died and bring her justice."

Detectives have been supporting her family and speaking to people who knew her to try to find out how and when she died, Essex Police said.

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 01702 470173 during office hours or 101 outside of those times.