Body Found in Search for Missing Mum in Hassocks
The week-long search for 38-year-old mother of two Rebecca Holdham has ended in tragedy after police confirmed a woman’s body was discovered near Hassocks, West Sussex.
Holdham, described by friends as a devoted mother and keen horsewoman, was last seen on September 7 at an address on the Ockley Park estate. When her two children returned home at around 10 a.m. that day, she was not there, sparking immediate concern among family and friends.
Extensive Search Efforts
Her disappearance was quickly labelled “completely out of character” by those closest to her. A major police search was launched, involving drones, sniffer dogs, and a helicopter. Local residents joined the operation, scouring the countryside, putting up missing persons posters, and sharing appeals on social media.
Community members said they were desperate for answers, with many describing Holdham as a loving parent who would not willingly leave her children.
Tragic Discovery
On September 14, a farmer tending to his sheep discovered a woman’s body in a private field between Hassocks and Burgess Hill, close to where Holdham was last seen. The location, overlooked by a windmill, does not contain a public footpath, making it a relatively secluded area.
Police erected a forensic tent at the scene while investigators began their enquiries. Though formal identification has not yet taken place, Sussex Police confirmed Holdham’s family has been informed of the discovery.
A statement released by Sussex Police read:
“Sadly, the body of a woman was found on Sunday (September 14) in Hassocks. The family of missing Rebecca Holdham have been informed, and they continue to be supported by our officers. Enquiries are ongoing to confirm the woman’s identity.”
Family and Community in Shock
The discovery has left the close-knit community in shock. Speaking during the search, Holdham’s friend Kerry Malby said her disappearance was baffling:
“She’s a devoted mum and this is completely out of character. She wouldn’t just leave her children. We can’t understand it. In a very short space of time, she has just completely vanished.”
Malby also described her as a loyal friend, saying: “She’s an amazing friend. She would normally have phoned me if something was wrong. I can’t understand why she wouldn’t call me.”
Police Investigation Continues
Detectives have yet to release details regarding the circumstances of the discovery, and no cause of death has been confirmed. While the case remains under investigation, police say they are keeping all lines of inquiry open.
Holdham’s disappearance and the subsequent discovery of the body have drawn widespread sympathy and concern. Many residents who took part in the search expressed heartbreak at the news, saying they had hoped for a different outcome.
A Community United in Grief
The discovery has not only devastated Holdham’s family but also the wider Hassocks and Burgess Hill communities. The sight of posters appealing for information, which had been pinned around local villages, now stands as a somber reminder of the mother who vanished.
As the police investigation continues, the community is left mourning the loss of a woman remembered as a devoted parent and friend. For now, her family waits for formal identification and answers about what happened in the days following her disappearance.
