The son of missing Sarah Wellgreen has thanked those who have helped search for the mother-of-five as police extend the bail for a suspect arrested in connection with her disappearance.

The 46-year-old was last seen on October 9 in Bazes Shaw, New Ash Green, Kent, and has not been in touch with her family since. She was reported missing on October 11.

Her disappearance is being treated by police as a potential murder.

Her son Lewis Burdett said in a message released through police: “Myself, and my family, would like to thank the residents of New Ash Green, and the surrounding villages and towns, who have all kindly given their time and to go out in all weather conditions to help look for our mum.

“The last month has been a never-ending nightmare and so distressing for our family. We would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and for respecting our privacy at this difficult time and ask that it continues.

“If there is any comfort to be found during this time, it has been through seeing the support the community has given in the search to find our mum.”

He added: “We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped with the searches, reposting social media appeals, putting up posters and sending in CCTV and dashcam footage to the police.

“We would especially like to thank the police for their continued work and also the six volunteer coordinators who have given-up so much of their time to help co-ordinate the searches and set-up the Search for Sarah Wellgreen Facebook page.

“Thank you, once again, to everyone from the local community who has helped and is continuing to help find our mum. Please, please keep looking and re-posting the social media appeals. Myself, and my family, really do appreciate everything that you are doing.”

Bazes Shaw
Since Ms Wellgreen’s disappearance, police have twice searched her home for clues to her whereabouts (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Since Ms Wellgreen’s disappearance, police have twice searched her home for clues to her whereabouts.

Officers have also searched woodland near Bluewater shopping centre in Dartford and areas in Greenhithe near the River Thames.

Divers have entered the River Darent in Dartford town centre, police and council workers have searched drains and the fire service provided a drone.

Hundreds of members of the public have also volunteered to help.

A Kent Police spokesman confirmed a suspect arrested on October 16 has had his bail extended.

He said: “A man aged in his 30s who was arrested on 16 October in connection with the disappearance of 46-year-old Sarah Wellgreen has had his bail extended to 16 January 2019.”

Ms Wellgreen’s disappearance has previously been described as “entirely out of character”, with her black iPhone 4 being the only item missing from her home.

Police say her car was left at her home address and there have been no new transactions on her bank or credit cards.

Ms Wellgreen is white, around 5ft 7in tall, of medium build, with green eyes and straight brown shoulder-length hair.