Detectives searching for a young woman who disappeared after going on a date have found a body in Hertfordshire woods.

Kate Beagley, 32, went missing after she spent last Wednesday evening with a man in the Chiswick, Richmond and Twickenham areas of south-west London.

Police have not yet named the body discovered this morning by dog walkers in Oxhey Woods, near Watford, but they said they are now treating Ms Beagley's disappearance as murder.

A 27-year-old man is being questioned in connection with the inquiry.

Surrey police said he was arrested at the weekend on suspicion of kidnap. But after the body was found, he was re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

Superintendent Jerry Westerman said police have taken the disappearance "extremely seriously" from the start.

"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."

Ms Beagley's father reported her missing on Thursday next evening after she failed to turn up for work and missed several appointments.

He had last seen his daughter at 6.30pm the previous day, as she was on her way to meet her date.

At 8.20pm the 32-year-old, of Walton-on-Thames, called a friend to say she was in Chiswick. Half-an-hour later she texted another friend that she was in Richmond.

There Ms Beagley and the man called at the Roebuck pub in Richmond Hill, across the road from a spectacular viewpoint across the Thames and south-west London.

"We believe they may have crossed the road to the terrace and park area opposite," said Supt Westerman.

Police confirmed they were combing Petersham Meadows on Richmond Hill for clues.

Kate's car was last spotted on Chiswick Bridge at around 11.58pm on that day.

Officers said they found her grey VW Golf in Harlesden, west London, along with a second - a black BMW - they had been looking for. Both cars have been taken for forensic investigation.

Police also believe Ms Beagley had met a man at the CC Club in Piccadilly Circus a week earlier.

"There are a number of potential crime scenes being investigated," said Supt Westerman.

In Hertfordshire, about 20 miles north from Richmond, dogwalkers today found their usual entrance to the woods along Oxhey Drive South had been sealed off with blue and white police tape, which surrounded the entire car park.

A gated road leading to a private estate was also cordoned off.

Police officers from Surrey and Hertfordshire stood guard outside a large white tent that concealed the body, found on the right side of the car park, before a forensic team began examining the scene at around 11.30am.

Nelly and Barry Kirk, from Watford Road, were taking their pet pooch Portia for a stroll when they found the police investigation, and the national media, on their doorstep.

Mr Kirk said: "This is a car park, it's not an area that has any real problems. There's a little flytipping. Most people come here in cars with dogs, particularly at this time of the morning. It's usually very busy in the day.

"I just cannot believe it. It will change the whole feeling of the woods."

Police urged anyone who saw Ms Beagley with a man near Oxhey Woods to come forward.

Meanwhile, friends have set up a group titled Help Find Kate on social networking site Facebook. The group currently has more than 1,000 members.

Friend Camilla Corsan said the support from the site's users had been overwhelming.

  • Anyone who thinks they may have seen Kate, described as white, 5ft 6in to 5ft 7in, medium build with straight brown collar length on Wednesday evening or her car is urged to contact Surrey Police on 01483 630120.