Detectives are continuing to search for Sarah Wellgreen five years on from her disappearance.

The 46-year-old was last seen in the Bazes Shaw area of New Ash Green, near Gravesend, on this day in October 2018, and was reported missing two days later.

Just over a year later, her former partner, Ben Lacomba, was convicted of her murder, and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum jail term of 27 years.

But, the mum-of-five’s body has never been found.

Speaking to The Independent, her son Jack Burdett, 26, said he is still doing searches every now and then. He added: “All year round, every minute of every day, I drive past bushes and wonder – is it there?

“It is a duty. She is somewhere here and I have got to find her. It is one piece missing out of the jigsaw puzzle - just that last corner.”

The search remains one of the largest in Kent Police’s history with more than 1,300 locations examined and today (Monday) officers have released a renewed appeal for information.

Detective chief inspector Neil Kimber, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Lacomba has always refused to tell anyone what he did to Sarah and sadly her body has never been found.

“Whilst Sarah’s killer may have faced justice for her murder, not knowing where she was left continues to cause considerable pain and distress to her loved ones.

“We continue to appeal for any new information which may help us identify new lines of inquiry and are asking people to cast their minds back five years, to anything at the time which may have been seen as unusual or suspicious.

“Lacomba would almost certainly have moved Sarah’s body in his car, a red Vauxhall Zafira taxi, with writing on the side. We believe it is very likely he then concealed her remains in a rural area, surrounding New Ash Green, Longfield or a location towards Sevenoaks.”

At its height, the operation involved around 120 officers a day using police dogs, drones, and the marine unit.

Det Ch Insp Kimber added: “Any detail, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, could be the clue which one day leads to a breakthrough. Sarah was a much-loved daughter, sister, and mother to five children, and if she was alive today would be approaching her 52nd birthday.

“We remain determined to find out what happened to her and hope that one day her loved ones will have the opportunity to lay her to rest in a place of their choosing.”

Since she went missing, a documentary was made in the hope that a new light would be shone on the murder and help draw more people into the search for her body.

If you have any information which may assist officers call 01622654863, quoting reference 46/XY/9631/18.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111, or complete the online form on its website.