Oops (Picture: Helen Chamberlain/Facebook)

A woman who thought a kind stranger had left a free bunch of flowers in woodland was dismayed to find out it was actually a murder tribute.

Helen Chamberlain posted a photo of the bouquet on Facebook, writing: ‘To the kind person who left a bunch of flowers in Whitleigh Woods – it certainly brightened up my day.’

Unfortunately, the flowers were not left for anyone who happened to walk past.

Her friends pointed out they were much more likely to have been left as a memorial.


The spot in Plymouth, Devon, was the scene of a murder and with the 15th anniversary approaching since the victim Julie Crocker first disappeared, the flowers were believed to have been left for the victim.



Julie,43, went missing from her home in Plymouth in September 2004 and her remains were found in Whitleigh Woods in January 2006.

Her post on Facebook (Picture: Helen Chamberlain/Facebook)

She started to realise something was wrong (Picture: Helen Chamberlain/Facebook)

She said she would replace the flowers (Picture: Helen Chamberlain/Facebook)

Her boyfriend Michael Woodman was jailed for life with a minimum of 15 years for her murder in December 2006.

A friend of Helen Maree Edwards asked: ‘Were they a memorial just a gift to anyone.’

Helen, from Saltash, responded: ‘I thought a gift but now I am now so sure.’

Teresa Ricketts said: ‘I know there was a murdered woman found in the woods a few years back maybe her family left them as it may be her anniversary.’

Tina Nutbrown added: ‘Its coming up to the anniversary of the lady that was found there. People leave flowers and a memorial.’

After hearing they were likely to have been in memory of Julie, Helen added: ‘Will get some more tomorrow.’

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