Thursday 19 February
Becky Watts, a 16-year-old sitting her GCSEs, is believed to have returned to her home in Crown Hill, St George, Bristol, after spending the night at a friend’s. Her stepmother, Angie-Mae Galsworthy, later says she chatted with Becky and last saw her at around 11.15am when Galsworthy left for a hospital appointment. Becky vanishes, apparently taking her laptop and mobile phone with her but no money, clothes, makeup or anything else to suggest she is going to be away.
Friday 20 February
Becky is reported missing to police.
Sunday 22 February
Avon and Somerset police make their first appeal for information about Becky.
Police say: “It is out of character for her not to contact someone if she is not returning home.” Rebecca is described as a white girl, aged 16, about 5ft 4ins, of slim build with long reddish hair. She may be wearing a blue “Puffa-style” jacket.
Please help support our appeal by using the hashtag #FindBecky. pic.twitter.com/FlxW79RFJV
— Avon&Somerset Police (@ASPolice) February 25, 2015
Monday 23 February
Becky’s father, Darren Galsworthy, and grandmother, Pat Watts, make an appeal for her to return.
Galsworthy says: “Becky, we just want you to come home. You are in no trouble at all – we just want to make sure you are OK. If you can please give us a call or a text – just to let us know you are safe. We all love you and want you back home with us.”
Watts says: “Becky, we love you so much. We all love you and want you back home with us. You are so loved – I don’t think you realise just how much. You can come and stay at mine for as long as you need. If you are Becky’s friend and you are sheltering her – you are not doing right by Becky. Just please get in touch.”
Tuesday 24 February
Police release a video from DI Richard Ocone, who emphasises to Becky that she is in no trouble. He says: “We are all just worried about you and we want to make sure you are ok. If you can just call home, one of your friends or call us on 101, we can work with you to help work through any issues you are facing.”
Wednesday 25 February
On Facebook Becky’s father expresses concern that she could have been sexually assaulted. He asks people to look out for her blood and claims a white van had been seen “hanging around” near the family home.
Police ramp up the seach and urge everyone to get behind its online campaign to find her using the hashtag #findbecky.
On a local radio station, Jack FM, Galsworthy gives more details about the last time his daughter was seen – and her character. He says: “She had stayed at a friend’s house the previous night, she had come home on the Thursday morning, had her shower, got changed, and we haven’t seen her since.
“She’s very shy and timid. She can’t even go up to a till in a shop she’s so reserved. She couldn’t ask for a bus ticket, she would rather walk than have to get on a bus and ask a driver for a ticket.”
Members of Becky Watts's family helping in tonight's search for the missing 16yr old pic.twitter.com/UMJ5XbymF7
— JACK fm Bristol News (@JACKfmNews) February 25, 2015
Police search the family home.
A friend, Courtney Bicker, says Becky had been dating a 17-year-old boy for several months. She says she texted Becky on the day she vanished but did not hear back.
Friends and neighbours organise their own search of the area.
"I would like to make a plea for everyone to get behind our online campaign to #FindBecky" http://t.co/y38ztULUD0 pic.twitter.com/dmGXZNJxKr
— Avon&Somerset Police (@ASPolice) February 25, 2015
Thursday 26 February
Police have also used Facebook ads to target users of the social networking site in Bristol. Officers have also handed out hundreds of leaflets and posters.
Officers say, despite her father’s fears, there is no evidence Becky has been harmed.
Her mother, Tanya Watts, says the girl vanished on her brother Danny’s 20th birthday. She says she had not seen Becky for around three weeks.
Friday 27 February
Police say DI Liz Tunks, head of the major crime investigation unit, has taken over as the senior investigating officer.
The neighbouring forces of South Wales, Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall and Gloucestershire phave joined the search.
Police search the pond at St George Park, Bristol, close to Becky’s home. They say this is routine and not based on specific intelligence. They say they searched Troopers Hill nature reserve – two miles from Becky’s home - but found nothing.
Saturday 28 February
Police arrest two people in connection with Becky’s disappearance.
In a statement, Becky’s father and stepmothersay they are aware of the arrests. “Rebecca has still not been found. We continue to hope that she will be found safe and unharmed but we will prepare ourselves for the worst.”
More than 100 people gather to carry out their own searches for Becky. He grandfather John Galsworthy says: “We are broadening the search. There are groups separate to ours who are going out using their own initiative, going wherever necessary to try and find her.” A computer is found and handed to police.
Sunday 1 March
Two addresses are searched - Wilton Close, Southmead , five miles across the city from Becky’s home and Cotton Mill Lane, Barton Hill, two miles away.
Neighbours of the Southmead address claim the garden has been searched and a vehicle taken away.
Police say they are running six specialist search teams each day. Search and missing persons experts from the National Crime Agency, College of Policing and national missing persons organisations are also involved.
Officers say the laptop computer found on Saturday is not relevant.
#findbecky update: Police have now left a home they were searching in Barton Hill http://t.co/Qdh63U0OIW pic.twitter.com/9esnaPXg1o
— Bristol Post (@BristolPost) March 2, 2015
Monday 2 March
Police are granted an extra 36 hours to question the two people arrested over Becky’s disappearance. They later further arrest the two on suspicion of murder.
They also appeal for witnesses who saw a black Vauxhall Zafira - registration HY06 HYA - between the “critical time period” of Thursday 19 February and Monday 23 February.
Tuesday 3 March
Police announce that body parts have been found at an address in Barton Court, about 2 miles from the family home. Three men and two women are arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The two people already under arrest continue to be questioned on suspicion of kidnap and murder.
