Hunt for Dorset mother of four goes on as police continue to question man

Detectives hunting for a missing mother-of-four have been granted more time to continue questioning a man who was arrested on suspicion of her murder.

Samantha Henderson, 25, has not been seen since she left her address in Corfe Castle, Dorset, on Wednesday afternoon.

A 27-year-old man, who is known to her, has been questioned on suspicion of her murder, but police have said they still have no idea where she is.

The last confirmed reported sighting of Miss Henderson was outside Corfe Castle Primary School.

Dorset Police have now released CCTV footage and images of her in The Sweet Shop in The Square in Corfe Castle at 11.41am on the day she vanished.

It shows Samantha in the clothing she was seen wearing outside the primary school later that afternoon – a pink jumper or coat and light blue jeans. She had her long blonde hair up in a ponytail.

Detective Inspector Neil Devoto, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We have not found Samantha yet and are gravely concerned about her, fearing that she may have come to some harm.

"We are releasing this CCTV footage taken on Wednesday morning, which is day she was last seen.

"I am urging anyone who may have information about what happened to Samantha or who saw her after 3pm on Wednesday to please get in contact with Dorset Police."

Police have seized Miss Henderson's blue Peugeot 307 estate car from her home address and said they are keen for any information about its movement between 3pm on Wednesday and 5pm on Friday.

Det Insp Devoto continued: "I would like to thank the public for all their help and the information we have received so far.

"I am very keen to hear from anyone who may have travelled along the A351 and in the Corfe Castle area between 3pm on January 21 and 5pm on January 23 and captured their journey on CCTV or cameras in their cabs, cars or on their motorbike or bicycle helmets.

^{Mum-of-four Samantha Henderson, from Corfe Castle, Dorset, seen here in a still from CCTV footage on the day she disappeared which has been released today by Dorset Police. (Enterprise News and Pictures)}

"This footage may be very useful to my investigation and I urge you to call me."

Extensive investigations are ongoing, including forensic experts examining Miss Henderson's home address in Corfe Castle.

Searches are also being carried out in the Corfe Castle village area.

Det Insp Devoto added: "Our search for Samantha is continuing and we are desperate for any information about her whereabouts.

"Samantha's disappearance is completely out of character as she has never gone missing before leaving her four young children who are aged one, two, four and six.

"We urgently want to hear from anyone who has seen Samantha after 3pm on January 21, had contact with her whether by phone or social media or has any information of her whereabouts.

"We are keeping an open mind about what may have happened to Samantha but are fearing the worst.

"We need the public's help and anyone with information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, should call Dorset Police as soon as possible."

Miss Henderson is described as white, five feet three inches tall, of a very slim build and with long blonde hair.

Over the weekend, Ms Henderson's family issued a statement pleading for her to come home.

They said: "Sam is a homely, private, loving mother of four children aged six, four, two and one.

"She is hard-working, always presentable and this is completely out of character for her.

"She would never walk out and leave her children. If anyone knows where she is or what has happened, please contact the police."