A man has been charged with murdering a woman in her mid-50s three years ago, after human remains were discovered at a secluded £850,000 farmhouse on the other side of the country.
Stuart Williamson, 56, was arrested in Abergavenny on Saturday, October 30, 250 miles from the remote Norfolk property police had been searching since launching a ‘no body’ murder probe the previous week.
Detectives have since confirmed that human remains were found a week last Tuesday (November 2) buried beside a garden shed at Meadow Farm in Colton, Norfolk.
They say they believe they are those of Diane Douglas, who lived at the farmhouse, although formal identification is still to take place.
Williamson, who was reportedly Ms Douglas’ partner, appeared at Norwich Crown Court last Wednesday (November 3) accused of murdering her in December 2018.
The investigation was originally launched when her relatives contacted them on Thursday, October 21, to say they hadn’t heard from Diane in years.
Police launched a missing person probe initially, but escalated it to a murder investigation, despite there being no body at the time, before tracking Williamson down to Abergavenny and making an arrest.
Norfolk Police said in a statement last week: “Officers searching a property on the outskirts of Norwich as part of a ‘no-body’ murder investigation can confirm human remains have been found.
“Diane Douglas was reported missing on Thursday, October 21, 2021 by family members.
“Detectives from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team declared the case a ‘no body’ murder investigation after enquiries revealed Diane had not been seen for “a significant period”.
“Stuart Williamson, 56, and of Barford Road, Colton, is accused of murdering Diane between December 1-31 in 2018, when she would have been aged either 55 or 56.
“Williamson was arrested on Saturday (October 30) in Abergavenny, Wales, and was brought back to Norfolk for questioning before being charged with murder on Monday night.
“He appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday, November 2) and Norwich Crown Court today (Wednesday, November 3).
“He was remanded in custody and the next court hearing will take place on Wednesday, December 22, with the plea and trial preparation hearing due to take place on January 14, 2022.
“A provisional trial date has been set for April next year.”
Williamson appeared at Norwich Crown Court via video link wearing a grey jumper, and was told he will face a murder trial that is expected to last three weeks.
Forensic officers erected a white tent outside the three-bed property, which is 400 yards down a track and around five miles from the nearest main road.
Colton villager Gerald Smith, 74, said: “We were quite shocked when we heard about it.
“I couldn’t tell you if she had any family in the area. I didn’t know the lady.”
Another resident added: “It’s really sad to know that somebody’s not been missed for that long.”
Villagers said Meadow Farm, which overlooks woodland and a field with a herd of redpoll cattle, had been rented out for around ten years.