Human remains discovered in scrubland on the outskirts of Leicester have been formally identified as those of a Polish woman who vanished nearly two decades ago, bringing a tragic end to a long-standing mystery.
Two Decades of Uncertainty
Malgorzata Wnuczek, a Polish national who was 27 years old and living in Leicester, was reported missing on 31 May 2006. Known affectionately as Gosia to her family, her disappearance sparked a major investigation that remained active for years.
She was last seen boarding a bus from her workplace at Peter Jackson Logistics on Sunningdale Road, travelling towards Leicester city centre. The final contact her family had with her was a text message sent just two days before she vanished.
The Discovery and Investigation
In a significant development, Leicestershire Police announced in October that human remains had been found in scrubland off the Great Central Way, near Watkin Road. The remains were sent for detailed forensic examination, which has now confirmed they belong to Malgorzata.
The investigation saw renewed activity in June 2023 after information was provided by Polish authorities. This led police to carry out searches in the River Soar between Mill Lane and Upperton Road bridges.
During the course of the inquiry, a 39-year-old man was arrested in the Greater Manchester area on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice. He was later released with no further action taken.
Ongoing Inquiry and Family's Anguish
Detective Superintendent Jenni Greenway, leading the investigation, issued a statement expressing her deepest condolences to Malgorzata's family. She acknowledged that while the identification ends years of not knowing her whereabouts, it does not provide closure or end their grief.
"The investigation into Malgorzata's death remains very much open and is ongoing," DS Greenway stated. "We remain in contact with our colleagues in Poland and we're continuing to liaise with them as our investigation to understand what happened to Malgorzata progresses."
Police have confirmed that a file is now being prepared for the coroner. Officers continue to appeal for information, stressing that it is never too late for members of the public to come forward with any details that could assist the inquiry.
