Police have launched a murder investigation following the disappearance of a 32-year-old woman in Exeter.
Lorraine Cox was last seen in Exeter city centre on Tuesday last week.
Four local men, aged 22, 30, 33 and 71, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Nattrass from Devon and Cornwall Major Crime Investigation Team said: “Lorraine Cox had initially been treated as a missing person following concerns for her welfare from her friends and relatives.
“However, following a significant development in the case, we are now treating this as a murder investigation.
Sections of Exeter City Centre were closed off by police yesterday in aid of the search operation and cordons remain in place on Thursday, Mr Nattrass added.
“Extensive searches by specialist officers are currently taking place in and around Mary Arches Street in Exeter City Centre. A cordon remains in place and the public are likely to see police activity ongoing in the area for the next few days." he said before urging anyone with information relating to Ms Cox’s disappearance to come forward.
“We would like to hear from anyone who believes they had seen or heard from Lorraine since 1 September as a matter of urgency.
“If you have any information that can assist us with our investigation, please contact the police on 999 quoting log 285 for 9 September.
“The family of Ms Cox have been informed of this development and are being supported by trained liaison officers at this difficult time. They ask for their privacy to be respected.”
Search operations were launched after Ms Cox, a type 1 diabetic, disappeared overnight on 1 September, leaving her medical kit at home.
Friends and family have handed out flyers and put up posters across Exeter with pictures of Ms Cox, including the last known photograph of her which was taken on the evening prior to her disappearance.
On Wednesday, witnesses reported seeing a number of men being led away from a building in the city centre by officers in forensic suits.
Police reminded people that any information relating to Ms Cox’s disappearance can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
