Mum and dad charged with murdering daughter weeks after reporting her missing
by Dave BurkeThe mum and dad of a missing teenage girl have been charged with her murder.
Bernadette Walker, 17, of Peterborough, was reported missing by her parents on July 21 after she had not been seen for three days, Cambridgeshire Police said.
A "no-body" murder investigation was launched on Friday.
Her parents Sarah Walker, 37, and 50-year-old Scott Walker, both of Century Square in Millfield, Peterborough, have been charged with murder and are due in court today.
They have both been remanded in custody.
Detective Superintendent Jon Hutchinson said: "Whilst my team have made significant progress with this investigation in the last few days, we are yet to find Bernadette.
"Therefore my plea is for anyone who has information on what has happened to her, or where she might be, to get in touch as a matter of urgency."
Bernadette was reported missing on July 21.
Her parents said they had not seen her since she ran out of their car three days earlier, and her mum said she last heard from Bernadette when she received a text at 1am on July 20 saying she'd be home soon.
Speaking to Peterborough Matters last month, she said: "I can't eat or sleep properly.
"I miss and love my eldest princess so much, she's missing out on her baby sister, who has learned to smile and coo already.
"I have to think that she is hiding at one of her friend's homes, worried about coming home now that the police will want to speak to her, I can't think of any alternative scenarios, I just can't.
"I know my baby girl wouldn't be out in the open.
"She's scared of being out in the dark alone, that's what makes me think she's at a friend's house.
"I just wish someone would just say she's here and she's safe. I want to cuddle her, but right now I'd accept that she's safe and well."