'We are broken': Family share tribute as body found in search for The Office star's missing sister-in-law

25 February 2023, 14:20 | Updated: 25 February 2023, 17:29

A body has been found in the search for Laurel Aldridge, 62, the missing sister-in-law of actor Mackenzie Crook.

Laurel's heartbroken son Matthew Aldridge wrote on Facebook this afternoon: "Laurel was a wonderful, creative, fiercely-intelligent person, who taught us all the meaning of empathy, dependability, and love.

"We as a family are broken by what has happened, but we have each other, we have our friends, and we have the support of the local community, who have so kindly rallied around us during this difficult time. We will never forget what you have done for us.

"For the time being, we are asking for privacy so that we can be together as a family and process our loss."

Sussex Police wrote: “Sadly, the body of a woman has been found in the Tortington Lane area of Arundel.

“At this stage, the family of missing Laurel Aldridge have been informed and we are seeking to confirm the identity of the woman.”

Mr Crook had made public appeals to find Ms Aldridge, his wife’s 62-year-old elder sister, who was reported missing from her West Sussex home on February 14.

The actor, who starred in The Office and Pirates of the Caribbean described his sister-in-law’s disappearance as “agonising” for the family.

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Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Mr Crook they believed that her disappearance could be linked to her ongoing treatment for cancer.

“She was diagnosed with cancer last year and she missed her fifth chemo session last Tuesday and we think that’s what has triggered some sort of crisis in her and she’s gone off for a long walk somewhere…we are really clutching at straws now after a week,” he said.

Her son Matthew Aldridge made a desperate appeal for people living nearby to check sheds, outbuildings and doorbell footage that same day.

Speaking to the BBC he said: “It is terrible, it’s like a nightmare, in a way we’re waiting to wake up from it but we’ve got each other and we’ve received a lot of love and support from the wider community and that’s really helping us get through.”

“We’re continuing to look in the local woodlands and fields. She loved nature so we think that’s perhaps where she’s gone.”

House-to-house enquiries were conducted by Sussex police and officers with dogs were searched parts of West Sussex.

The NPAS helicopter, drones and the volunteer specialist Sussex search teams joined efforts to find her.