Missing Meath mother’s case reclassified as murder investigation

Elizabeth Clarke was officially reported missing by her family in January of 2015 and a full investigation into her disappearance was subsequently launched

Elizabeth has not been seen since 2013. She was 24-years-old at the time of her disappearance.

The investigation into the disappearance of a woman in Co Meath in 2013 has been upgraded to a murder inquiry.

Gardaí are on Friday beginning new searches in connection with the disappearance of Elizabeth Clarke, a mother of two who lived in Navan.

Elizabeth, who was originally from Portrane in Dublin, has not been seen since 2013. She was 24 at the time of her disappearance.

She was officially reported missing by her family in January 2015 by her estranged family who hadn't seen her in over a year. A full investigation into her disappearance was subsequently launched.

Despite extensive garda enquiries to date, including house-to-house enquiries, land searches, canal and river searches, there has been no confirmed sighting of Ms Clarke in over a decade.

On Friday, gardaí confirmed the investigation into her disappearance had been upgraded to a murder inquiry. They also commenced a search operation at a house in Navan.

The search is being led by gardaí from the Meath Serious Crime Hub based at Navan Garda station supported by the Meath Divisional Search team and Garda National Technical Bureau.

Gardaí said the search operation has the support of other State experts, including a Forensic Archaeologist, if required.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said the family of Elizabeth Clarke have been "fully updated in relation to this investigation and they have been fully appraised of all of today's developments".

Anyone with information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth Clarke has been urged come forward.

"Do not assume that An Garda Síochána either know that information and/or that it has limited value. Let the investigation team make that assessment," a Garda spokesperson said. 

"Given the time frame of this investigation, gardaí are asking the public that if they have any information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth and for some reason held back on information they may have had, to come forward now," the spokesperson added.

"An Garda Síochána wish to reassure them that they will be treated sensitively."

The investigation team can be contacted at Navan Garda Station at 046 9036100, through your local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential telephone line 1800 666 111.