A body found in Biggin Hill last week has been formally identified as missing Gravesend woman Jane Dale and a post-mortem examination has revealed her death was caused by hanging.

Officers from the Met and Kent Police discovered the remains in a woodland area of Norheads Lane on Thursday evening (July 17).

The body was believed to have been Miss Dale’s but it was only this morning (July 21) police formally identified it as the 40-year-old.

Miss Dale left her home in Maritime Gate on July 13 at around 3.30pm to travel to Croydon by car. She was last seen in Purley later that afternoon.

Her silver Ford Focus was found locked and empty in a remote country lane in Norheads Lane, Biggin Hill. It is believed to have been parked there from around 7pm on July 13 and she was reported missing on the following day.

A Kent Police spokesman said: “Formal identification has taken place and the deceased is Jane Dale. Next of kin have been informed.

“A post-mortem examination took place on Friday (July 18) and gave cause of death as suspension by hanging.

“An inquest will open at Croydon Coroner's Court this week.”

More to follow.

Did you know Miss Dale? Pass on your tributes to the newsdesk on 01689 886 721 or hwood@london.newsquest.co.uk