Norma Girolami: Human remains found of missing 70-year-old woman from Highgate

Police have found the human remains of a missing 70-year-old woman who disappeared from her north London home last year.

Norma Girolami, from Cholmeley Park, in Highgate, had not been seen since the middle of August 2021.

Following police enquiries, a murder investigation was launched two months later.

Detectives have now recovered human remains following the search of a churchyard at Friern Barnet Lane, Finchley.

It comes just weeks after police offered a £20,000 reward for information that would lead to the discovery.

The remains have been formally identified as being that of Ms Girolami and her family has been notified by detectives.

Ms Girolami lived in the Highgate area of London and regularly traveled to Brent Cross to do her shopping using public transport to make her way there. She was also a member at Archway Leisure Centre.

A £35,000 loan in her name was taken out shortly after her disappearance.

She liked to visit Leigh-on-Sea and made a trip there on Thursday, 19 August 2021. She took the train from Barking and returned to London later that day.

All communication from Norma stopped that evening.

Det Ch Insp Kate Blackburn said: "Despite accepting that Norma was no longer alive, I know that her family are deeply affected by the news that her remains have been found. Our thoughts are very much with them.

“My team has spent more than a year searching for Norma and there is a sense of relief that we have found her remains which will undergo forensic examination in due course.

“Despite this discovery, I would still be very keen to hear from anyone who knew Norma, either in London or at Leigh on Sea who can provide information on anything that was happening in her life in August last year.

“I am also appealing for anyone who saw any activity around the Churchyard in Firern Barnet Lane, N20 between August and October last year.

“Norma’s family and friends have endured a year of not knowing what had happened to her and our investigation remains ongoing.

“If you have any information, no matter how small a detail it may seem, please do get in touch.”

A 42-year-old man from Islington has been charged with murder and is due to stand trial in February next year.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC. All information is treated in the strictest confidence.

If you prefer not to speak with police, to remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.