Mum, 24, not seen for 12 years is feared murdered & buried amid major house search op as ‘person of interest’ identified
GARDAI fear a missing mum-of-two is buried at the house they are searching — as her heartbroken brother told us he hoped their “nightmare” was finally coming to an end.
As HQ declared Elizabeth Clarke’s missing person’s case had been upgraded to murder today, a large-scale search was underway in Co .
Dozens of officers from the technical bureau stripped back an unoccupied house in Navan, while a digger and two skips were hauled in.
The young mother was reported missing in January 2015, but Gardai believe she had not been seen for up to two years prior to that.
Despite extensive searches — which included trawls of land, canal and rivers — Gardai could not make a breakthrough in the case.
However, now armed with new information, cops believe Elizabeth was murdered and suspect she may have been buried at the house.
A jackhammer was used to the rear of the house for a long period of time today, while a number of evidence bags were retrieved and taken away from the scene.
Gardai also have the assistance of a forensic archaeologist.
Gardai have identified at least one “person of interest” in the case, a man who has long denied any involvement in Elizabeth’s disappearance.
Tonight, Elizabeth’s younger brother told how they knew the day would come when the case would be upgraded to murder — but it did not make it any easier when it was confirmed.
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Both Ricki Bieninda alongside his mother Noeleen have fought tirelessly over the years to find out what happened to Elizabeth.
Ricki told us: “We knew it was going that way over the years, but we are heartbroken.
“It’s been a very long and torturous period over the last nearly 13 years, it has been very hard for me and mum.
“But we just want to bring Lizzy home and bring this nightmare to an end for us. This has had such a huge effect on both of us over the years.
“She would never leave them kids behind, they were her world. It all never made sense as to why she went missing and that she was never spotted leaving. It has been a very difficult day but this search gives us hope.”
'DIRE CONDITION'
Senior sources say the house had been left in “dire” condition by others in recent years.
The house was sealed off by fences at the front and a laneway at its rear which gives access to the back garden.
Dozens of Gardai from the technical bureau stripped the home of rubbish, filthy bedding and brown stained mattresses and bags of rubbish.
Locals in the area explained how they felt it was too long to wait for a search of the house.
FAMILY DESERVE ANSWERS
One told us: “That family deserves to know what happened. I can’t imagine what they have been through.”
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A garda spokesman said: “Investigating Gardai continue to appeal to any person or persons with information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth Clarke to please come forward and speak to the investigation team.
“The team can be contacted at Navan Garda Station on 046 9036 100, or you can visit your local Garda station.”
