Third man arrested in missing Coventry woman search

The mother of a missing woman thought to have been murdered said “I just want my baby back” as police revealed a third man had been arrested and woodland was being searched.

Reanne Coulson, 34, from Coventry, was last seen on 21 May in Raglan Street when she was captured on CCTV visiting a food bank.

West Midlands Police said a 38-year-old was detained on suspicion of perverting the course of justice just before 16:00 BST on Wednesday.

Detectives have until Friday evening to charge or release a 42-year-old man who was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murdering Reanne, who they are now certain has died.

Ms Coulson’s mother Lynne Sparkes issued a new appeal as the search for her daughter intensified.

“From one parent to another, you can only imagine how I’m feeling. Please come forward to give our family some closure,” Ms Sparkes added.

Specialist teams and police dogs are searching Binley Woods, on the outskirts of Coventry, as well as on other sites in neighbouring Warwickshire following new information from the investigation, the force said.

It added that officers were “working round the clock” as hundreds of hours of CCTV had been viewed and more than 50 potential witness statements taken.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, her family acknowledged that Ms Coulson had been a sex worker and said it was “out of the ordinary” for her to not return home.

“Reanne is not only my sister but my twin sister, a mother, a daughter and an aunt,” Ms Coulson’s sister Kirsten said during the press conference.

“We are worried sick and need your help to find her.”

Det Supt Jim Munro said he believed people in Coventry knew what had happened to Ms Coulson and that is was “vital” they came forward.

“We ask for any information from them that will allow us to locate Reanne, who we now sadly believe is deceased,” he said.

Her sister said that “words can’t describe the pain we are all feeling”.

“Our family are desperate. We need answers. Please help us get Reanne back,” she added.

A 53-year-old man who had previously been arrested on suspicion of murder and kidnap had since been released on bail with strict conditions, the force added.

Earlier this week, police released footage of Ms Coulson’s last confirmed sighting as she left the food bank at St Mary & Benedict Church at about 21:46 BST.

The footage also captured two men who police want to identify.

Ms Coulson’s twin, who previously said her sister was “loved by many”, urged anyone with information to contact the police.

“Just pick up the phone no matter how small it is. Anything is better than nothing. Your information might just help us to find her,” she added.

A dedicated website has been set up for people to share information.