Police have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a woman's body in a wood near Watford.

Although no formal indentification has taken place it is believed to be Kate Beagley who disappeared from her home in South West London last Wednesday. The last sighting of her may have been in the Chiswick area.

She was last seen by her father at around 6.30pm on Wednesday 30 May before returning home. She called a friend at 8.20pm saying that she was in Chiswick. Half an hour later she texted another friend saying she was in Richmond.

She had access to and was believed to be in possession of a grey VW Golf registration RA04TRZ. A sighting has been confirmed of the vehicle on Chiswick Bridge on Wednesday 30 May at 11.58pm. The car was later found, along with another connected with the enquiry, in the Harlesden area.

Surrey Police Superintendent Jerry Westerman said, “Kate was reported to Surrey Police as a missing person, and from the start, we have taken this extremely seriously. Our priority has been to try to locate her safe and well, but sadly, as a result of our investigation, the body of a woman has been found. We have informed the family of Kate Beagley about the discovery of a body, and our thoughts are with Kate’s family at this difficult time. We are still awaiting formal identification to take place.

“Surrey Police arrested a man on suspicion of kidnap on Friday night at 11pm and on suspicion of murder late on Sunday night. Two vehicles have been discovered and Surrey Police has devoted more than 50 officers to this investigation to date.

“A post-mortem has yet to begin, and until this has taken place, we will be unable to confirm the cause of death. This will take place in Hertfordshire. We anticipate that a formal identification will take place as soon as possible,” he added.

The Oxhey Woods site has been cordoned off and Surrey Police is working closely with our colleagues in Hertfordshire Police to examine the area where the body was discovered.

There are a number of potential crime scenes being investigated, and Surrey Police is keen to appeal for sightings of Kate and the man she was with. Anyone who thinks they may have seen Kate, described as white, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins of medium build with straight brown collar length, and a black man, in his 20s, who is around 6ft 3ins tall, on Wednesday evening, or may have seen her car, a silver/grey VW Golf (RA04 TRZ) is urged to contact Surrey Police on 01483 630120 or call Crimestoppers annonymously on 0800 555 111.