Man charged with murder after mum-of-seven vanished nearly 30 years ago

A man has been charged with the murder of a mother-of-seven who went missing from the West Midlands in 1998.

Trevor Dunkley, 66, has been charged over the death of Patricia Lashley, who was last seen at her flat in Hall Street, Dudley, in September 1998, according to West Midlands Police.

He has been remanded into custody to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday, the force said.

Officers are supporting Ms Lashley’s family and have appealed for more information from anyone who knew the woman at the time of her disappearance.

Ms Lashley – known to friends as Pat or Jade – was 33 when she disappeared and was known to have links to Newcastle, London, Wales and Scotland.

She also used the names Vanessa and Tricia as well as the surname Bradford.

Officers said Ms Lashley moved to Dudley in the mid 1990s and frequented the No Limits club and other pubs in the area.

She and Trevor Dunkley knew each other, officers said.

Detective Inspector Michelle Cordell said: ‘We want to hear from anyone who may have known or remembers meeting Patricia or Trevor Dunkley.

‘We know she was fairly well-known in both Dudley town center and Oldbury.

‘If anyone remembers anything or thinks they have any information which could help with our inquiries, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

‘Even if you already spoke to us at the time Patricia went missing, we still want to hear from you as we gather as much information as we can to help her family find some closure after nearly 30 years.’