Crime & Law

Search for remains of missing woman Elizabeth Clarke concludes in Co Meath

Results of search appear to offer no major breakthrough in case after more than a decade of investigation

Gardaí pictured in Claremont Estate, Navan, Co Meath, where they were continuing their search for the remains of Elizabeth Clarke. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Gardaí pictured in Claremont Estate, Navan, Co Meath, where they were continuing their search for the remains of Elizabeth Clarke. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Conor Lally
Mon Feb 10 2025 - 20:32

A search in Navan for the remains of missing presumed murdered woman, Elizabeth Kent, has concluded after several days.

While the Garda has not released the results of the operation, which began late last week, it is understood the body of the mother of two was not found at the Co Meath property.

“The results of the search are not being released for operational purposes,” the Garda said in a statement, adding they had updated Ms Kent’s family “on any developments”.

The search commenced last Friday at Claremont Estate in Navan as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Ms Clarke, who was aged 24 years when she was last seen.

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The operation, which involved excavation, began at the same time gardaí confirmed they had upgraded the case from a missing persons investigation to a murder inquiry.

Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry regarding who they believe killed Ms Clarke. They also have strong suspicions about where her remains may be buried and other evidence might be located, though none of that evidence was discovered during the searches of recent days.

Ms Clarke was officially reported missing in January 2015, though there have been no confirmed sightings of her since November 2013. Gardaí suspect she was murdered around the time of the last confirmed sighting.

An extensive investigation has been carried out since Ms Clarke was reported missing, including land, canal and river searches in an attempt to find her remains. It is believed that she was murdered and her body disposed of in an attempt to conceal the crime.

Elizabeth Clarke (24) was reported missing more than a decade ago but the last confirmed sighting of her was in 2013.
Elizabeth Clarke (24) was reported missing more than a decade ago but the last confirmed sighting of her was in 2013.

Garda Headquarters last Friday confirmed the investigation had been upgraded to murder inquiry. The decision was based on an assessment that the additional resources and powers, including to arrest suspects and carry out searches, could result in a breakthrough in the case.

Ms Clarke had previously lived in Portrane, Co Dublin, and Bettystown, Co Meath, as well as at another address in Co Meath.

“There have been no sightings of Elizabeth in over 10 years. As a result of these extensive inquiries, An Garda Síochána have reclassified the investigation from a missing person investigation to a murder investigation,” the force said in a statement.

The search operation in Navan was led by gardaí from the Meath Serious Crime Hub, based at Navan Garda station. It was supported by the Meath Divisional Search Team and Garda National Technical Bureau. A forensic archaeologist was also made available to the search team.

Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times