What happened to Katie Kenyon?

A man has been charged with the murder of 33-year-old Katie Kenyon, who has been missing from her home in Lancashire since last Friday.

Andrew Burfield, 50, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court today, where he “spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the three-minute hearing”, reported The Guardian.

The mother-of-two, from Padiham in the borough of Burnley, was “last seen at about 9.30am last Friday when it is thought she travelled in a Ford Transit van that left the town heading towards the Bolton-by-Bowland area of Lancashire”, said the newspaper.

On Tuesday, police said they believe she is no longer alive.

Officers, mountain rescue teams and fire crews have been searching parts of Gisburn Forest in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley for her body. “Scores of officers” were yesterday seen “scouring” the 3,000-acre forest, said the Daily Mail.

Kenyon was described by police as white and 5ft 9in, with shoulder-length blonde hair. She was wearing a blue cardigan, a light blue and white top, black leggings and flip flops when last seen.

Police said Kenyon’s family were being supported by officers and “pass on their thanks for all the well-wishing messages but have asked people respect their privacy at this time”.

Metro noted that, in a post on Facebook, Katie’s sister Sarah wrote that “receiving the most heartbreaking news this afternoon that... our Katie is no longer with us, has been the worst we had to ever hear”.

Burfield has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Preston Crown Court tomorrow.