Sign up to the Hull Live newsletter for daily updates and breaking news Sign up here! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Police have confirmed the body of a woman found in the Humber Estuary is missing Hull student Libby Squire.

On Wednesday evening, Humberside Police confirmed they had recovered a body near to Grimsby Docks. Tragically, they have since said it is missing Hull student Libby.

Libby, 21, a student at the University of Hull, disappeared in the early hours of Friday, February 1, after being turned away from Welly nightclub and getting a taxi home to Wellesley Avenue at around 11.30pm on Thursday, January 31.

However, police believe she did not enter the property.

She was later seen on CCTV at the corner of Haworth Street and Beverley Road between 11.45pm and 12.09am.

A 24-year-old man was arrested in connection with Libby’s abduction before later being released under investigation and a property on Raglan Street has been regularly searched. He remains a "person of interest" to the investigation.

After six weeks of searching, police confirmed the identity of the body recovered from the Estuary was that of Libby.

Detective Superintendent Martin Smalley of Humberside Police said: “A post-mortem examination commenced this afternoon and is continuing to be carried out this evening, however formal identification has now taken place and we can confirm the body recovered is that of missing woman Libby Squire.

“Libby’s family have been informed and are receiving support from specially trained officers. We would ask their privacy is please respected at this incredibly distressing time.

“Libby, 21, was last seen just after midnight on Friday, 1 February, on Beverley Road close to the junction with Haworth Street.

“An extensive search was carried out in the days and weeks after her disappearance, with detectives and officers working relentlessly to find Libby.

"The people in Hull have shown tremendous support to Libby’s family and to the officers and support staff involved in the searches and investigation.

"It has been a very difficult time for all those involved and we would like to thank everyone once again for their support.

“One man was arrested in February in connection to Libby’s disappearance and remains under investigation.

“We will provide updates as and when we can as to the progress of the investigation, which has been continuous since Libby’s disappearance and remains ongoing.

“Our priority is to support Libby’s family and give them the answers they desperately need.”

Watch: Where Libby's body was taken when it was found

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The Cleethorpes lifeboat, believed to be involved in the recovery, was launched to Grimsby Docks at around 2.30pm.

The HM Area Coroner in Grimsby and North Lincolnshire will now take the lead and carry out a post-mortem examination.

Parents' torture

Since her disappearance, Libby’s parents, Russ and Lisa, as well as Humberside Police have given regular updates into the investigation.

Three weeks after she was reported missing, Libby’s parents said: “It’s been three weeks now since our beautiful girl was last seen.

“In that time we haven’t been able to speak to her, and we haven’t been able to hug her. We haven’t been able to tell her we love her, or hear that she loves us.

(Image: PA)

“She went out to have fun with her beloved friends. Since then it has been a time of unending torture for her friends and family.”

Throughout their investigation, police were seen searching Oak Road Playing Fields, Wellesley Avenue, Beresford Avenue, Haworth Street, Beverley Road, Barmston Drain and parts of the River Hull.

Vigils took place across the country both here in Hull and in Libby's hometown of High Wycombe.

After two weeks of searches, police said they believed Libby had come to some harm.

Last sightings

After being turned away from the Welly club, Libby was taken by a taxi to her house in Wellesley Avenue before seen on the bench on the corner of Haworth Street.

CCTV captured her walking towards the nightclub earlier in the evening, with cameras also capturing her on the bench, although the latter footage has not been released to the public.

Police had released images of replica clothes worn by Libby on the night she disappeared.

Officers had said that after 14 days of public searches around the Beverley Road area for the missing student, work would be moving behind the scenes.

Detectives had stressed that: "The investigation is not slowing or coming to an end, it is exactly the opposite and is very much active and ongoing."

Witness appeal

Three weeks on, police released footage of "possible witnesses" in the Oak Road playing fields area that they wanted to speak to in connection with the case.

The potential witnesses were spotted on camera walking close to the area Libby was last seen. However it is not thought that one of the four caught on camera came forward.

Police had continued their searches over the past six and a half weeks in two main areas, though - around the Oak Road playing fields and in Raglan Street, the home of the 24-year-old man arrested in connection with the case.

Just this week, police were seen searching a section of Oak Road in the ongoing hunt for the Hull student.

Time Line A timeline of Libby Squire's disappearance Thursday, January 31: 11pm Libby was last seen by her friends at Welly nightclub. It is understood she was turned away and got into a taxi outside the club on Beverley Road Thursday, January 31: 11.45pm 45 minutes later, Libby was spoken to a man near the junction of Beverley Road and Beresford Avenue. Police say the man got out of his car to help her. Friday, February 1: 12.09am Libby is spotted on a bench at the junction of Haworth Street and Beverley Road on CCTV, and officers believe she was in the area until 12.09am. She has not been seen since. Friday, February 1: 11.30am Police release appeal for help to find Libby. They describe her as 5ft 7ins tall with shoulder length brown hair. They say she was wearing a black long sleeved top, a leather jacket and a black denim skirt with lace. They also release a photo of her. Friday, February 1: 2.30pm Police officers search The Courtyard in Inglemire Lane after reports of Libby being seen there the night before. They were seen knocking on doors. Friday, February 1: 5.30pm Police release appeal to find the man who may have helped Libby on Beverley Road at 11.45pm. Friday, February 1: 7pm Over 50 police officers and a police helicopter are out searching the areas around Beverley Road, Inglemire Lane, Haworth Street and Cottingham Road. They carry out door-to-door enquiries, with 200 trainee officers drafted in to help with the search. Police say they are "really worried" about Libby. They ask people to check their sheds and outbuildings. Friday, February 1: 10.20pm Police release statement saying the man who helped Libby has been in touch and has "really helped out." Saturday, February 2: 7am Police resume the search for Libby. The search is now in its second day. Officers continue to search around the area she was last seen on Beverley Road Saturday, February 2: 10am Libby's best friend Rachel releases new pictures of the missing woman and says: "Please come home lib." Saturday, February 2: 11am Humberside Fire and Rescue search an area of Oak Road Playing Fields for Libby. Saturday, February 2: 11.30am Humberside Fire and Rescue focus the search on the pond at Oak Road Playing Fields. Saturday, February 2: 12.30pm Superintendent Simon Gawthorpe holds a press conference updating the search for Libby, saying her disappearance was "very out of character". Read everything he said here. Saturday, February 2: 3pm Students organised a huge search to try and help find Libby. Her friend, Ryan Tweddell, spoke of the last moments he saw her on the night she disappeared. Saturday, February 2: 6.30pm Police handed out posters of the missing student to taxi firms across Hull in the hope of unearthing new information. Sunday, February 3: 10am The mum of missing Libby said her family had been comforted by the support from Hull, and said she believed her daughter had been dropped off outside her home in Wellesley Avenue. Sunday, February 3: 4pm Police were searching homes in streets where Libby was last seen. Sniffer dogs and forensic teams could be seen in the evening looking in a property in Wellesley Avenue. Sunday, February 3: 8.30pm Residents living in the area where Libby was last seen spoke of their shock, fear and worry at the University of Hull student's disappearance. Monday, February 4: 9am Police released a fresh appeal for Libby, with searches due to commence in the University of Hull's grounds. Monday, February 4: 11.30am Lisa and Russell Squire make an emotional plea for help, saying they are heartbroken and just want Libby home. Monday, February 4: 12noon Emergency services search Barmston Drain, with officers from the marine unit going through the waterway, which runs under Beverley Road and past Wellesley Avenue. Monday, February 4: 3.30pm Police are spotted again in Haworth Street looking in drains and bins Monday, February 4: 4.30pm Chf Sup Int Phil Ward addresses media Monday, February 4: 4.30pm Chief Superintendent Phil Ward says force are keeping 'open mind' as to her disappearance but are treating it as a missing persons enquiry Monday, February 4: 6pm Police issue new picture of Libby Tuesday, February 5: 7.30am The searches for Libby enters its fifth day, with still no clue as to her whereabouts. Tuesday, February 5: 10am Police search Oak Road playing fields once more with officers wading through the water. Tuesday, February 5: 3pm Police say they are responding to 100s of calls from the public after a neighbour claimed to a hear a 'woman screaming' around the time Libby disappeared Tuesday, February 5: 5pm Hundreds take part in a solidarity event at the University of Hull, with Libby's parents attending Wednesday, February 6: 10am Police return to Oak Road and can be seen going through undergrowth in the woodland to the side of the fields. Wednesday, February 6: 11.30am The marine unit go through the reeds around the edge of the pond in the fields. Wednesday, February 6: 8pm Police officers seen at property in Raglan Street Thursday, February 7: 7.40am Police confirm man, 24, arrested in search for Libby Squire Thursday, February 7: 8.15am Police say they are treating Libby's disappearance as 'abduction' Thursday, February 7: 11am Forensic investigators search Raglan Street home for evidence Thursday, February 7: 12pm Police continue painstaking search of Oak Road Playing Fields and nearby area Thursday, February 7: 4.30pm Police campaign van with image of Libby circulates Hull Thursday, February 7: 8.30pm Students hand out leaflets of missing Libby Friday, February 8: 11.44am Cops given extra 36 hours to quiz suspect as police continue standing guard outside terraced house in Raglan Street Friday, February 8: 12pm Searches continue at Oak Road Playing Fields with officers trawling bushes, fields and undergrowth for clues Friday, February 8: 6pm CCTV footage showing potentially crucial evidence into the disappearance of Libby emerges Saturday, February 9: 11am Gardens and tenfoots searched in streets near Libby's home Saturday, February 9: 8.45pm Forensics team search Oak Road Playing Fields in darkness Saturday, February 9: 9pm Court grants police extra 24 hours to quiz Libby suspect Sunday, February 10: 9.43pm Police release update - "We are continuing to investigate the disappearance of Libby Squire and a 24-year-old man remains of interest to the investigation" Monday, February 11: 1.30pm Forensics remove bags of evidence from Raglan Street Monday, February 11: 3.30pm Cordon put in place at Oak Road Playing Fields on entrance to pond. This is later removed just over an hour later. Monday, February 11: 7pm Raglan Street residents asked about 'unusual activity' in the street on night Libby went missing Tuesday, February 12: 11am Officers seen hacking away at undergrowth and bracken Tuesday, February 12: 2.40pm CCTV footage shows a woman thought to be Libby Squire before her disappearance Tuesday, February 12: 5.30pm Police release a new statement on their search for Libby Wednesday, February 13: 11.30am Police divers re-enter pond at Oak Road Playing Fields Wednesday, February 13: 12.30pm Libby's parents released an emotional new statement for their daughter, describing her as "much loved with a big heart". Thursday, February 14 Police release replicas of the clothes Libby was last seen wearing. These include a black leather jacket, a black denim skirt and black sneaker-type shoes. They also say they have to consider Libby may have come to some harm. Thursday, February 14 Police admitted for the first time that Libby "may have come to some harm". Detective Superintendent Martin Smalley added that more work was to be done behind the scenes rather than in public view. Friday, February 15 Police arrive at Oak Road playing fields looking set to continue their search. Tuesday, February 19: 11am Investigation into Libby Squire's disappearance enters 19th day with officers from the marine unit seen searching drains in the Oak Road playing fields. Tuesday, February 19: 4pm New CCTV images are released of four potential witnesses police want to speak to. All four were walking in the Clough Road/Oak Road area from about 1am to 3am on the morning of February 1. Thursday, February 28: 12pm Police explain why no CCTV footage of Libby released Police have explained why no CCTV of Libby has so far been released as they say they are determined to find the missing student a month on. Thursday, February 28: 12pm New video of Libby smiling and having fun released by family The family of the missing student have released video footage of their daughter having fun as they speak of their "utter heartbreak" over her ongoing disappearance. Thursday, March 7: Police return to Raglan Street Residents spoke of seeing police and forensics searching the same property in Raglan Street. Humberside Police said it was part of an "ongoing investigation." They said: "For operational reasons, we won't be confirming anymore details at this point." Friday, March 8: Police search alleyway on Raglan Street Officers from Humberside Police returned to Raglan Street for the second day in a row to search an alleyway behind the property focused on in previous searches. It was the first time the alleyway had been searched. Thursday, March 14: Police release new video A new video showing Libby dancing and singing in a car with her family is released. Her mum, Lisa, said: "As a family, we are really struggling. The whole family miss Libby beyond belief." Tuesday, March 19: Searches return to Oak Road playing fields Police were seen at the Old Kingston Rowing Club building, based in the fields at Oak Road playing fields. Witnesses said the police had been at the site on Tuesday afternoon with marine officers at the scene. Thursday, March 21: Police confirm body found in Humber Estuary is missing Libby Police confirmed that the body recovered near Grimsby docks is Libby. Friday, March 22: Floral tributes laid on Beverley Road bench Heartfelt messages and tributes in memory of Libby have been placed on the bench on the corner of Haworth Street where Libby was last seen. Monday, March 25: Inquest opens An inquest officially opened into Libby's death. It was adjourned and will be heard in full at a later date. Monday, March 25: Man officially linked In the inquest, police for the first time publicly said Pawel Relowicz, 24, was the man arrested in connection with Libby's disappearance. He was released under investigation but charged with unrelated crimes. Monday, March 25: Service at University Libby's family take part with hundreds of friends in an emotional service at the University of Hull. Friends and students remembered the "popular and beautiful" 21-year-old. Tuesday, April 2: Memorial fund launched The University of Hull sets up a memorial fund in tribute to Libby, with hopes the money will benefit current and future students. Wednesday, April 24: Police provide update Police say they are continuing to investigate Libby’s death as a homicide, with further work and analysis being conducted. Friday, July 27: Police explain why Libby's body not released Police say further tests needed to be carried out which is why Libby's body has not been released back to her family as the sixth month anniversary of her disappearance approaches. Wednesday, August 21: police arrest a man on suspicion of murder Humberside Police detectives quizzed a man they had after arresting him on suspicion of murder. The man was later "released under investigation as further enquiries continue". Thursday, August 29: Libby's body released Police finally release Libby's body back to her family and praise them for their patience. Thursday, October 3: Libby's funeral takes place Hundreds pack St Lawrence Church in Libby's home village of West Wycombe for her funeral during an emotional goodbye Thursday, October 24: Pawel Relowicz is charged with the rape and murder of Libby The Crown Prosecution Service confirms Pawel Relowicz has been charged with the rape and murder of Libby and he will appear at Hull Magistrates on October 30.

Follow Hull Live

Our daily newsletter - To get the latest headlines direct to your email inbox every day, click here .

Download our app - You can download our free app for iPhone and iPad from Apple's App Store , or get the Android version from Google Play .

Follow Hull Live on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Click here to give it a like!

Follow us on Twitter - For breaking news and the latest stories, click here to follow Hull Live on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram - On the Hull Live Instagram page we share gorgeous pictures of our stunning city - and if you tag us in your posts, we could repost your picture on our page! We also put the latest news in our Instagram Stories. Click here to follow Hull Live on Instagram .S